The second bunch sprint in the 2019 Vuelta a San Juan led to another victory for Fernando Gaviria. Just like in the opening stage, the Colombian sprinter of UAE Team Emirates topped the sprint, this time in a duel with three-time world champion Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe).
Simone Consonni’s help at the end of the fourth stage – San Josè de Jachal-Villa San Augustin, 185.8 km – was priceless for Gaviria. The young Italian finished off the worked of UAE Team Emirates, launching the Colombian captain towards the win and held on for fourth place.
Gaviria remains second overall in the general classification, now at eight seconds from Alaphilippe. Valerio Conti sits third at 22″ and Consonni, seventh at 44″. UAE Team Emirates maintains control of the team classification thanks to their positions.
“It’s great to win a second time here, paying back the work of the team who fought those other teams and helped me for the sprint finish. Thanks to my team-mates for their support,” Gaviria said. “It was a high level sprint, against serious rivals like Sagan and Hodeg. The team was perfect in the approach of the last curve, then Consonni was very good at launching me.
It was a special stage, because here one year ago I went home in an ambulance.
“I will try to enjoy the rest day and then we will see what happens on the stage to Alto Colorado. I’ll try to hold on, the general classification is difficult but I’ll try. Much will depend on my legs on the climb, but I’m only eight seconds from the leader so I’m going to push as much as possible“.
Sagan Close to Victory:
“We had another long stage at the Vuelta a San Juan and it was a bit warmer than forecast,” World Champion Peter Sagan said at the finish. “The stage played out as expected, with a fast bunch sprint to the finish. We worked well in the last kilometres and after the last turn, I got into the final straight in the front. I had the legs today, I went at full speed but it wasn’t enough and I missed the victory at the finish line.”
Stage 4 Brief Results:
- Fernando Gaviria (UAE Team Emirates) 4h20’26”
- Peter Sagan (Bora-hansgrohe) s.t.
- Alvaro Hodeg (Deceuninck-Quick Step) s.t.
- Simone Consonni (UAE Team Emirates) s.t.
General Classification after Stage 4:
- Julian Alaphilippe (Deceunicnk-Quick Step) 11h35’42”
- Fernando Gaviria (UAE Team Emirates) 8″
- Valerio Conti (UAE Team Emirates) 22″
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