Finally bingo for Etixx-Quick Step in the Tour de France! Tony Martin has won the fourth stage. The German teammate of Styby rode away in the final kilometers and finished solo. Martin is also the new owner of the yellow jersey.

The fourth stage was a mini version of Paris-Roubaix with some cobblestones section in the final. Styby was really looking forward to this stage and was one of the leaders within the team Etixx-Quick Step. And so Zdenek attacked.

“I went on the last section. It was also the hardest one. I actually thought that Tony was in my wheel, but he was not. I was already up to speed, so I went further with my action. I thought maybe I could go solo, but Greg Van Avermaet and Geraint Thomas sat right in my wheel.”

The cobblestones seemed not heavy enough. “That was true. It was dry all day and I also think everyone here really had done their homework. All the favorites were constantly in front, even Nairo Quintana, however no specialist.”

And so a group of 40 riders rode to the finish. “But five kilometers from the end, I encouraged Tony to try it. There was a good chance that he could stay away. He tried, but his attack didn’t seem strong enough at first sight.”

Luckily the chase started slow. “There was just no organization. Tony quickly had a bonus of ten seconds. And everyone knows that you don’t have to give Tony ten seconds in the final kilometers. It was unlikely that we would see him again.”

The German won. “Fantastic! The funny thing is that Tony wins on the bike of Matteo Trentin, because he had a flat tire. He also takes the yellow jersey, which is very cool. We are a strong team and we will defend that jersey with great pleasure.”

Styby himself became ninth after he did his work for Tony in the last kilometers. In tomorrow’s stage the peloton will ride deeper into France. Mark Cavendish will be the leader, because there is a big chance the stage will end on a sprint.

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Summary - Stage 4 (Seraing > Cambrai) - Tour de... door tourdefrance_en




By on 07/07/2015