Giro d'Italia 2016: Stage 4

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January 1 - May 29, Catanzaro, Italy, Road - WorldTour

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 Buongiorno and welcome to live coverage of stage 4 of the Giro d'Italia.

 

 Hello and welcome to the start of stage 4 of the Corsa Rosa. 

The riders are lining up in the sun in Catanzaro and will soon begin the neutralised sector.  

Marcel Kittel (Etixx-Quickstep) is on the front row in the pink jersey. He also has pink touches on his shoes and pink par tape on his bike.

It seems that everyone has made it to Italy from Netherlands and enjoyed the first rest/travel day.

The crowds are huge in Catanzaro as the Calabrian city hosts a stage start for the first time.

The riders are riding the 7.5km transfer to Km 0. 

That means they will ride a total of 207.5km today. We will have coverage of all the action.

The stage is a day for the sprinters but the rolling finale will be making for an exciting race. 

The official road book describes the stage as 'wavy'.

The sun is out for the first stage in Italy, with temperatures of between 24-26C. however there is a slight breeze from the sea that could help any attacks to break up the peloton and distance the sprinters. 

 The riders have enjoyed a gentle descent from the centre of Catanzaro to the official race start in the valley. The flag will soon drop and we can expect the first attacks.   

Here's another image of Kittel in pink as the riders roll out of the start.

The stage of now officially underway and we're awaiting the first attacks. 

There is a climb after 5km that could inspire attacks. However Kittel or the other sprinters could also want to contest the first intermediate sprint that comes after just 35km.

 After 8km of racing no break has formed so far.

This is the stage profile. You can see the climbs in the second half and especially the rolling roads of the finale.

Here we go! we have a first attack.

The three jumped away after 15km. 

They were joined by Matthias Brändle (IAM) to create a four-rider attack.

180km remaining from 200km

This is Kittel's spare bike with pink bar tape.

It seems that Nippo Vini Fantini is chasing the break after the Italian team failed to place a man in the move.

Nippo has brought the gap down to 1:45.

You can also follow the Giro d'Italia with our Tour Tracker app.

This is the current GC after three stages. With the rollig finale and time bonuses of 3-2-1 at the intermediate sprints and 10-6-4 at the finish, Kittel and Etixx face a tough job defending the pink jersey. 

Nippo are desperate to close down the attack or at least get a rider in it. Their case has made for a fast start to the stage. 

These are the special jersey wearers during today's stage: 

This image shows (L-R) Tjallingii, Kittel and Viviani. The jersey missing is the white jersey of obias Ludvigsson (Giant-Alpecin).

160km remaining from 200km

The early break of the stage.

Five riders from Nippo are working on the front, trying to pull the break back.

Marcel Kittel seemed relaxed and happy at the start, we will see how he handles the late climbs during the stage.  

The gap is down to 30 seconds. We can expect a new break to form if these four are caught.  

Race radio confirms the fast start. The riders covered 50.1km/h in the first hour. 

It's been a tough first hour for Dimension Data.

The race is on the Calabrian coast now, on plan flat roads. However the break is about to be caught.

There were huge crowds in the Netherlands and huge crowds in Catanzaro for the start of stage 4.  

The peloton was about to close down the break but they have surged clear again.  

The gap is back up to 1:50. 

Nippo is still trying to get into the break and Eduard Grosu is in no-man's land between the two group. 

It seems the Etixx team is concerned about the finale of the stage, with DS Davide Bramati driving up to study the roads during the rest day.

Grosu is fighting on alone trying to go across to the break. 

To read more about the pitfalls of the first week of the Giro d'Italia, click here.

Grosu is still 1:00 back but the peloton is slipping back an is at 4:00.

The riders are heading up the Calabrian coast and are close to half way point now.

The four breakaway riders are working smoothly together as they head up the coast.  

Kittel is at the back of the peloton after drifting back to speak to his team car.

The Etixx team is leading the peloton but the pace is steady.

Other teams are lined out behind Etixx, Astana also up front.

The roads are straight with the stunning sea on the rider's left and Calabrian hills on their right.  

97km remaining from 200km

One of the riders that could be in contention today is Arnaud Demare. Despite not yet winning a stage, the Frenchman has been making headlines in the past few days with the news that his Milan-San Remo victory is under investigation. His team manager Marc Madiot has responded to the news, saying that he's not worried about the investigation at all.

Fabian Cancellara and Matteo Tosatto having fun out on course with Cancellara giving Tosatto a gift of a pine cone. Well, it's the thought that counts.

87km remaining from 200km

Marcel Kittel looking comfortable in the bunch at the moment. He is sitting in fourth wheel behind three of his teammates. It's a tough finale today and Kittel is going to have a tough job to keep hold of that maglia rosa. His 100% record in the Giro d'Italia road stages is almost certainly going to be stopped. 

Fabian Cancellara also looking pretty happy today. He says that he's now through his illness and he's hoping for better fortunes in the coming stages. The Chianti time trial will obviously be a big goal for him. 

Both Kittel and Cancellara were among our 10 riders to watch, as was the former maglia rosa Tom Dumoulin. Click here to find out who else made out list. 

The leaders are onto the first classified climb of the day Bonifati, as the gap has come back down to just under the 3-minute mark.

Mountains classification leader Maarten Tjallingii is now near the front of the bunch as he looks to keep the blue jersey for at least another day.

Ruben Plaza has dropped back to the team car on this climb. He will be one of the key riders for Esteban Chaves when the race hits the mountains. 

Most of the GC teams are up near the front of the bunch. Behind Etixx-QuickStep are Astana, Giant, LottoNL-Jumbo and there are a few Movistar men as well. 

Lars Bak has been dropped from the bunch and is sitting behind one of the BMC cars. 

74km remaining from 200km

Mohoric is quickly caught but he attacks again but is caught by Boem this time. He wants the points at the top of the climb. 

Now it is Rosskopf that has a go but Boem sails past him. Rosskopf is second over the KOM with Mohoric in third. Brandle couldn't keep up with his breakaway companions and sets his own pace to the top.

Mikel Landa is making his way back to the peloton with the help of Mikel Nieve. He must have had a mechanical problem. There's no panic for the Spanish rider and he easily makes it back. 

Tjallingii is keeping station near the front. Will he have to attack for the points or will he be allowed to roll over at the head of the peloton?

The escape group has come back together for the descent and their advantage is going up again and is now at 3:30.

This year's Giro d'Italia has three rest days and yesterday the riders had their first one to allow them time to travel from the Netherlands to the south of Italy. We took the time to talk to Giant-Alpecin's Chad Haga, who is making his comeback from a serious injury. We posed him some of your questions and you can read his answers here. 

Today's finish is probably a little harder than it initially looks on the road book. Astana leader Vincenzo Nibali believes that it will be one for the punchy riders. 

With the first climb done and dusted it is feeding time for the peloton. Lots of riders heading back to team cars as Cristian Rodriguez tries to squeeze more bidons than most into the back of his jersey. 

The next ascent of the day is the climb of San Pietro, a 5.3km effort that peaks at 11 per cent. 

56km remaining from 200km

DS Davide Bramati is in the Etixx team car and spoke to Italian TV: 

As the riders hit the climb, the four team cars behind the break have been stopped and so dropped back behind the peloton.

The gap is falling fast on the climb as the four breakaway riders struggle.

Marcel Kittel is near the back of the peloton. He is trying to limit his effort on the climb but the Giant team is setting a fast pace to try to spit out the sprinters.

Viviani has also slipped out the back. It will be interesting to see if the sprinters get back on.

Kittel is also slightly off the back, on Cancellara's wheel. He has two teammates with him.

Demare is also off the back, as in Caleb Ewan. All the sprinters are struggling on the climb.

51km remaining from 200km

There is still a kilometre to go on the climb. Kittel is breathing deep with his mouth wide open.  

Caleb Ewan has his jersey open as he tries to limit his losses. The warm weather is also making for a difficult day. 

Over the top of the climb Cunego and Pirazzi sprint for the mountain points. 

Cunego got it but Pirazzi pushed him hard. Both have now sat up. 

Kittel and other sprinters reached the summit 1:30 back. 

The Astana team is now leading on the descent. Some sprinters may get back on but the final 30km of the stage is packed with other lesser, but tough climbs. 

The road book describes the final as so: 

Modolo and Greipel were also dropped on the climb but look set to get back on soon.

The peloton is lined out on the long straight roads of the descent. Kittel is off the back with 30 seconds to pull back.    

The riders are back on the coast roads and immediately the attacks begin.

Kittel is back in the peloton. But who knows how much it has hurt his legs.

Meanwhile we have another attack up the road. This time two AG2R rider have jumped away.

The two are Bonnafond and Dupont. 

35km remaining from 200km

No one team has control of the race at the moment. 

At the same time other riders are trying to take on late bottles.  

Bonnafond and Dupont are working together but hoping other riders come across the gap. 

There are 15 riders chasing the two Frenchmen. 

30km remaining from 200km

Vincenzo Nibali spoke about the dangers of the stage before the start to Italian television.

The chasers have caught the two AG2R riders but they are all fighting a headwind. 

Etixx has Serry and Jungels leading the chase at the head of the peloton.

Moser is in the front group. He is fifth in GC and so could be on the way to taking the pink jersey.

25km remaining from 200km

However the peloton can see them, the race is coming back together.

Diego Ulissi spoke about the chances of the sprinters this morning at the start on Italian television. 

 

Serry is in the attack, meaning that Etixx is not chasing.

Damiano Cunego (Nippo) has jumped from the peloton to try to cross to the attack of seven riders.

The race is now on a short climb on the outskirts of Scalea.  

Cunego has tried to push on with the attack but the peloton is coming after them.  

The Movistar team has now taken over the chase at the front of the peloton. They are trying to shut down the remains of the attack.

Wow! The riders are on a stunning twisting descent back to the coast. This is racing in the south of Italy.

Upfront De Marchi (BMC) is working to drag a group clear. Other riders are in the middle between the peloton. The race is very fluid at the moment. This could end in a sprint or a break could stay away. 

15km remaining from 200km

The attacks have spat out the sprinters again. Kittel has been distanced. We look set to have a new race leader after the stage.  

Lampre is going for up front, with a teammate working for Ulissi. 

Caleb Ewan is also out of the back.

Movistar has five riders on the front, with Astana lined out behind them.  

The attackers have a gap of 20 seconds. Kittel is another 50 seconds back.  

11km remaining from 200km

He's dragged the group clear of the peloton.

It will be fascinating to understand who is also in the attack group. 

Tim Wellens (Lotto Soudal) is there for sure. Today is his birthday.

Here we go! The attackers hit the Via Fortino.

Moser attacks from the peloton. He's chasing glory and the race leader's pink jersey.

The climb is snaking up the hill. 

Ulissi is pushing the pace in the attack, as others struggle. 

Ulissi is out of the saddle on the 18% section. He gets a gap but can he stay away? 

Behind the GC riders are emerging, as Moser is caught.

The rest of the attack is caught by the peloton. Ulissi is out front.

The climb hurt but the false flat will hurt even more.

The peloton is split into several groups. 

7km remaining from 200km

There is a group of 15 or so riders chasing him.

Ryder Hesjedal is one of the GC guys off the back of the front group.

Brambilla of Etixx tried to go off the front of the chase group but he has been cased down.

Hesjedal is trying to convince the riders in his group to work together. He's close to 1:00 back.

3km remaining from 200km

The Lampre rider cuts a corner at speed as he drives on. 

Behind the Bardiani team is chasing with two riders. One is Colbrelli and he's a fast finishers.

2km remaining from 200km

Scarponi attacks to line out the chasers.

1km remaining from 200km

Ulissi is fading but he's still clear. He can win if he has something left. 

Here he comes! 

Dumoulin is chasing to save a chance of taking pink.  

At the line Ulissi wins it with arms in the air. 

Dumoulin takes second an so will take back the pink jersey.

It was a tough, very selective finale, that was always going to crack the sprinters.

Ulissi won by just 5 seconds. Steven Kruisjwick was third, with Valverde taking the sprint. 

Nibali was sixth in the sam time.

After three days in the Netherlands, Ulissi gives Italy its first stage win of 2016 on home roads.

This is the provisional stage result:

Dumoulin is back in pink and lead Bob Jungels (Etixx) by 20 seconds.

Ulissi is third, also at 20 seconds.

This is Ulissi's fifth stage win at the Giro d'Italia.

At the line Ulissi wins it with arms in the air. 

Ulissi:

Ulissi enjoys his moment on the podium, spraying the spumante high and wide. He also holds up five fingers to point out his stage wins here at the Giro.  

On the podium, Dumoulin pulls on the pink jersey again.

He's slowly getting used to the protocol and kisses and also opens the spumante. 

As he celebrates, other riders cross the line, finishing the stage. 

The only consolation for Kittel is that he pulls on the red points jersey and will wear it on stage five to Benevento.

Moreno Moser (Cannondale) had a shot at taking the pink jersey. He made an attack but was soon pulled back.  

Dumoulin talked about his day.

 

After pulling on the pink jersey and doing some initial interviews, Dumoulin is on the rollers, warming down.

The riders are heading to their hotels along the Calabria seafront. They've earned a massage and dinner after an intense stage.  

We have some other changes in the jerseys for tomorrow;s stage:

We have the first images of Ulissi winning in Praia a Mare. 

Sonny Colbrelli (Bardiani-CSF):

This is a great image of Ulissi winning alone with the chasers unable to catch him. 

Here's Dumoulin in pink. He's having a great Giro so far but has played down his overall hopes.  

Marcel Kittel (Etixx-QuickStep) was gutted to lose the pink jersey after just a day.

After two sprint wins by Kittel, Ulissi got the win and the kisses today.

As the dust settles on the stage, enjoy our full stage report an photo gallery. We'll be adding photos as they arrive from our photographers Tim De Waele and Roberto Bettini. 

If you want to enjoy the video highlights of the stage and see Ulissi's strong attack in the finale, click here.

We've also got all the initial reactions from the protagonists of the stage.

That's it for today's live coverage from the Giro d'Italia, join us tomorrow for more as the riders continue to head north.

The final kilometre rises at 3% and comes after a tight ix-kilometre finishing circuit in town. As they say, there's never an easy day at the Giro d'Italia.

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