2022 Giro d’Italia: Stage 4 Results

Lennard Kämna (Bora-Hansgrohe) has won Stage 4 of the 2022 Giro d’Italia, the 172km long route, Avola-Etna-Nicolosi (Rif. Sapienza). Juan Pedro Lopez Perez (Trek-Segafredo) and Rein Taaramäe (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux) finished second and third respectively.

With about 6km remaining, Kämna attacked out of a 3-man chase group and dropped his fellow breakaway companions. With about two and a half kilometers to go, he managed to catch up with López at the front and the duo tackled the final kilometers together. In the end, Lennard prevailed in a two-man sprint and took the stage win. With this, he also assumes the lead in the mountains classification and is currently second overall.

Speaking seconds after the stage finish, Kämna said: “That was a super hard day, especially the final climb. I almost thought I lost the chance to win the day when I heard that López was 35 seconds ahead. But I was ultimately able to catch up. Then I tried to recover a bit for the sprint and that ended up being a good plan. To have this victory in the bag is particularly important for our team and takes some of the pressure off. Everything went well for us and we’re on the right track. I’ve now also taken the lead in the mountain classification, the first classification jersey I’ve worn in my career and I’m very proud to have done that.”

Juan Pedro Lopez Perez (Trek-Segafredo) is the new Maglia Rosa. “I didn’t know the climb but my sport director did a very good job to inform me. He said: “try to go in the hardest part”, and I did. I felt strong when I was chasing Oldani down. We never know but I was confident. It took me a few minutes to realize that I was in the Maglia Rosa. Everyone tells me that Alberto Contador was the last Spaniard in the Maglia Rosa. I need to enjoy this moment.”

The Maglia Rosa, Juan Pedro Lopez Perez (Trek-Segafredo) said: “I’ve worked so hard today to take the jersey. I attacked in the steepest part of the climb. Kämna brought me back with 2 or 3 km to go. I tried to fight for the victory but it was so difficult. I’m so happy to have the Maglia Rosa. I don’t know for how long but I’ll enjoy it.”

2022 Giro d’Italia: Stage 4 Brief Results

1. Lennard Kämna (Bora-Hansgrohe) –  172 km in 4h32’11″, average speed 37.916 km/h
2. Juan Pedro Lopez Perez (Trek-Segafredo) s.t.
3. Rein Taaramäe (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux) at 34”

General Classification After Stage 4

1. Juan Pedro Lopez Perez (Trek-Segafredo)
2. Lennard Kämna (Bora-Hansgrohe) at 39″
3. Rein Taaramae (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux) at 58”

Jerseys/Classifications

• Maglia Rosa, leader of the General Classification, sponsored by Enel – Juan Pedro Lopez Perez (Trek-Segafredo)
• Maglia Ciclamino, leader of the Points Classification, dedicated to ‘Made in Italy’ – Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix)
• Maglia Azzurra, leader of the Gran Premio della Montagna (KOM), sponsored by Banca Mediolanum – Lennard Kämna (Bora-Hansgrohe)
• Maglia Bianca, Best Young Rider, sponsored by Intimissimi Uomo – Juan Pedro Lopez Perez (Trek-Segafredo)

Tomorrow’s Stage – Stage 5, Catania – Messina, 174km

Stage 5 is a short stage, with an uncomplicated climb, mid-course, up Portella Mandrazzi. From
Catania, to just outside Taormina, the roads are fairly wide and mostly flat, but twist and wind, with only a few straight stretches.

After leaving the coastline, the route takes in the long Portella Mandrazzi climb (avg. gradient: 4%), followed by a lengthy descent that will lead the peloton to the northern coast of the island. Over the final 70km, the stage follows the shoreline. The roads here are wide, flat and straight, with a few urban areas along the route.

With nearly 4km to go, the course leaves the trunk road and kicks up into urban Messina. The route continues along broad city avenues, initially downhill, then up again until the 1,500m marker, where it takes a short descent. There is one final bend at 800m before the finish line.