Stage 4 of the Virtual Tour de France has seen Zwift experts claim more glory as Freddy Ovett (Israel Start-Up Nation) went one better than his second place on Stage 2, while April Tacey (Drops Cycling) won again after her victory on the opening weekend. The Australian rider outsprinted Nick Schultz (Mitchelton-Scott) and the wearer of the yellow jersey Michael Valgren, whose team NTT Pro Cycling still lead the overall standings. In the women’s race, Lauren Stephens (3rd) and Leah Dixon (4th) increased Tibco-Silicon Valley Bank’s lead ahead of the final weekend of competition.
Cycling stars join from all around the world for stage 4 of the Virtual Tour de France. Dutch rider Chantal Blaak (Boels Dolmans), South-Africa’s Ashleigh Moolman (CCC-Liv) and America’s hot prospect Quinn Simmons (Trek-Segafredo) are among the biggest names to watch in the virtual pelotons (64 women and 92 men) lining up for 2 laps of a 22.9km circuit, as part of the solidarity Tour de France events aiming to raise funds for charity partners.
The women tackle the stage first and Jossy Lowden (Drops Cycling) shines with her Polka-dot jersey, summiting ahead of everyone the first two climbs of the day. The pace remains high after the climb and a group of 18 riders manages to slip away. American favorites Alexis Ryan (Canyon//SRAM Racing) and Coryn Rivera (Sunweb) are among the main dropped riders, with a 20” delay as the race enters the last 15km.
Sarah Gigante (Tibco-Silicon Valley) accelerates at the bottom of the final climb but Jossy Lowden uses her feather lightweight power-up to move past everyone. Riders from Tibco-Silicon Valley Bank maintain the pressure after the summit but a small group comes back together in the final downhill towards the finish. Already winner of the 1st stage, April Tacey (Drops Cycling) repeats victory ahead of Anna Henderson (Sunweb).
Lauren Stephens (3rd) and Leah Dixon (4th) increase Tibco-Silicon Valley Bank’s overall lead with 277 points ahead of the final weekend of competition. Drops Cycling follow with 219, just ahead of Canyon//Sram Racing (206 points).
All eyes on Israel Start-Up Nation
Daniel Turek (Israel Start-Up Nation) is the most aggressive rider in the first part of the men’s stage. Two strong accelerations see him claim the most KOM points in the first two climbs of the day as he defends the polka-dot jersey worn by his teammate Freddy Ovett. Turek even hits 897 watts to fend off Nathan Haas (Cofidis).
Ryan Mullen (Trek-Segafredo) makes a brave solo move to make the most of the flatter sections of road to break away from the bunch in the last 20km. But NTT Pro Cycling Team, once again riding from the team headquarters in Lucca (Italy), brings things back under control for the wearer of the yellow jersey Michael Valgren.
Heading into the last 300m, William Clarke (Trek-Segafredo) tries to anticipate the final sprint but his move is covered inside the last 50 meters. Michael Valgren appears to be in a perfect position, but Freddy Ovett surges at the last moment to edge everyone. Nick Schultz (Mitchelton-Scott) takes 2nd place ahead of Valgren.
NTT Pro Cycling Team still lead the overall standings with 263 points ahead of the two final stages, next week-end. Rally Cycling are second (188 points), ahead of Trek-Segafredo (162).
