André Greipel (Lotto Soudal) won today the fourth stage of the Volta ao Algarve in a close sprint with compatriot John Degenkolb (Trek-Segafredo). Primoz Roglic (Lotto NL-Jumbo) secured the “Camisola amarela”. Tomorrow the Volta ao Algarve will finish a top of Malhão.

After 203,4 km from Almôdovar German Champion, André Greipel was almost surprised in the last 50 meters, having to suffer to resist the approach of compatriot John Degenkolb. Greipel secured his second personal victory in Tavira – the other was in 2011 – and extended the German dominion in the town of Gilão: in the last five times in Tavira German riders were the strongest.

The sprint “finale” was sealed two kilometres from the finish line, when the main break of the stage was caught. Ryan Mullen (Cannondale Drapac), Dion Smith (Wanty-Groupe Gobert), Taco van der Hoorn Roompot-Nederlanse Loterij) and João Matias (LA Aluminum-Metalusa BlackJack) took off the 6 km mark. The portuguese ended his effort 40 km to the finish, but the trio of attackers forced the peloton to work hard to reach Tavira.

“The break made us work hard to prepare the sprint, as we spent almost half of the team chasing. At the end, I found myself in a good position and started at the right moment. I already won here in Tavira but last year I could not play the sprint. This time I had the luck with me. It was a closed sprint, side by side with Degenkolb, but luckily I managed to win. It’s always a good sign to win here in the Algarve” said André Greipel.

As expected, the 4th stage had no consequences in the General Classification. The Slovenian Primoz Roglic (Team Lotto NL-Jumbo) held the Yellow Jersey. He is closely followed by Poland’s Michal Kwiatkowski (Team Sky), 22 seconds behind, and by Spaniard Jonathan Castroviejo (Movistar Team), 36 seconds down on the GC.

Tomorrow everything will be different. The fifth and final stage from Loulé to the top of Malhão will finish in a second category mountain climb. In the last 62 kilometres, the riders will climb four mountains, in an up and down route, which includes a first pass in Malhão, 41.5 kilometres to the end.

With this layout and with the differences between candidates already somewhat significant, the rival teams of the GC leader will have to attack from afar, in a promising thrilling stage.

“We controlled the stage from the beginning, and it was quite hard for the whole team. We will do the same tomorrow.  We can win this race in Malhão, there will be many attacks, but we will be prepared. Kwiatkowski is the most dangerous opponent. I am feeling good and looking forward to tomorrow. We will give our best” said Primoz Roglic.

For the rest of the classifications, André Greipel wears the Red Jersey Cofidis, for the points, Daniel Martin (Quick-Floors) wears the blue jersey Liberty Seguros for the best climber, and Tiesj Benoot (Lotto Soudal) is the best young rider with the White Jersey Sicasal. Movistar Team tops the team classification.

Classificações/Results
4.ª Etapa/Stage 4: Almodôvar – Tavira, 203,4 km
1.º André Greipel (Lotto Soudal), 4h57m51s (40,974 km/h)
2.º John Degenkolb (Trek-Segafredo), mt
3.º Dylan Groenewegen (Team Lotto NL-Jumbo), mt
4.º Arnaud Démare (FDJ), mt
5.º Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo), mt
6.º Andrea Pasqualon (Wanty-Groupe Gobert), mt
7.º Fernando Gaviria (Quick-Step Floors), mt
8.º Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis), mt
9.º Michael Schwarzmann (Bora-hansgrohe), mt
10.º Edvald Boasson Hagen (Team Dimension Data), mt

Geral/Overall
1.º Primoz Roglic (Team Lotto NL-Jumbo), 14h34m20s
2.º Michal Kwiatkowski (Team Sky), a 22s
3.º Jonathan Castroviejo (Movistar Team), a 36s
4.º Tony Gallopin (Lotto Soudal), a 55s
5.º Luis León Sánchez (Astana), a 59s
6.º Daniel Martin (Quick-Step Floors), a 1m31s
7.º Tony Martin (Team Katusha Alpecin), a 1m40s
8.º Tiesj Benoot (Lotto Soudal), a 1m49s
9.º Amaro Antunes (W52-FC Porto), a 1m54s
10.º Rinaldo Nocentini (Sporting-Tavira), a 1m56s