Cannondale–Garmin’s lean season comes to a conclusion thanks to a superb breakaway victory by young Italian climber Davide Formolo.
The fourth stage of the 2015 Giro d’Italia proved to be an exhausting one for the peloton as only only thirteen riders finished with the group of favourites containing the likes of Alberto Contador at the finishing line in La Spezia.
The Maglia Rosa moves across from Michael Matthews to Simon Clarke after Matthews found the pace set by Astana too fierce, with Colombian team mate Esteban Chaves moving in to second just ten seconds behind.
Despite being relatively short at just 150 kilometres, the stage from Chiavari to La Spezia soon became one to remember as soon as the breakaway managed to establish itself with Tinkoff–Saxo’s Roman Kreuziger infiltrating his way in to the move. At one point threatening to hand the Giro d’Italia over to Kreuziger without a fight, with the time advantage growing out to over ten minutes, it took the forceful intervention of Astana to neutralise the dangerous situation.
The pace set by Astana however soon saw the peloton shred to pieces as rider after rider were unable to stay with the General Classification favourites over the hilly terrain.
Threatening to capture the lead breakaway of Davide Formolo, Amael Moinard and Giovanni Visconti before the summit of the Biassa, it was Formolo who attacked on the climb to keep alive the breakaway’s hopes of surviving until the finish for a thrilling stage victory.
Riding in his second season for the Cannondale–Garmin team, originally part of the Cannondale team during 2014 before the merger, the 22-year-old Italian lived up to his billing as one to watch for the future. Establishing a gap to his former breakaway companions over the Biassa, held off the group of favourites led by Astana all the way to the finish to win the stage by 22 seconds to Simon Clarke and Yonathan Monsalve.
Pre-race favourite Rigoberto Uran of Etixx–Quick-step lost time in the finale to his rivals after losing contact with the group of favourites to finish the stage 42 seconds behind the likes of Alberto Contador and Richie Porte.
Other General Classification contenders to lose time were Jurgen Van den Broeck and Damiano Caruso, who finished with Uran at 42 seconds behind; Damiano Cunego, who finished one minute behind; Movistar hopeful Ion Izagirre, finishing four minutes down; and Ryder Hesjedal, who lost over five minutes.
Already, after just Stage 4 of the 2015 Giro d’Italia, the General Classification is beginning to take shape with the pre-race favourites towards the top of the standings ahead of the best of the rest, who are beginning to lose time to them. Out of the pre-race favourites Alberto Contador is currently the best placed in fourth, equal on time with team mate Roman Kreuziger in third, just 17 seconds behind new race leader Simon Clarke.
Tonight the race reaches its first summit finish as the peloton complete the difficult 152 kilometre-long journey from La Spezia to Abetone. With two hard days of racing through the hills of Liguria in their legs it will be interesting to see how the peloton tackles the stage, with many riders probably already wishing it was the first rest day.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
As many gripes as I have with WA often getting delayed coverage, meaning I turn to Eurosport or SBS' online streaming options for live coverage, it is great to see the SBS executives signing off on live coverage of more and more road races. Would love to see Robbie McEwen get a berth in the commentary seat for SBS due to the wonderful job he usually does for Nine at the Tour Down Under. Often straight to the point and provides a wonderful 'expert's insight' in to multiple facets of the race (like tactics) due to his experience and nous. Long may the Australian domination of the Giro d'Italia continue.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Hope the Colombian is not too exhausted after two consecutive days in the breakaway, even if he and Clarke were most times able to just sit in the breakaway groups and not contribute that much. It is only his second Grand Tour after riding the Vuelta a Espana last year, but I have hopes that Chaves can battle for a top 10 position in the General Classification if doesn't blow up before the finish in Milan.
GD66
Guest
Nice of SBS to broadcast it "live" even if it's on a two-hour delay in Perth, but to a degree Matt Keenan and in a much bigger way David McKenzie feel the need to cheerlead certain riders, and to insist upon predicting the incidents that may occur during the closing kilometres, and the outcome of each stage. It's just conjecture, so it would be great if they'd back it off a couple of notches and just call the action. Also the great Henk Vogels contributes insights each night but refuses to look down the barrel at us, sharing his gaze between Tommo and their live action monitor off to camera right, so it looks as though he's really shifty, although we are well aware that he's not. Only minor gripes compared to receiving no coverage at all, though. A great event, and with the daily impact of the OGE team, even more thrilling.
Jeff
Guest
Greenedge really have this down to a T now. Win the TTT and then cycle through the leaders jersey. Esteban Chaves could well be wearing it after tonight. Great week for the team.