Wout van Aert’s thrilling escape in the last 10km of Stage 4 gave him his first win in this year’s Tour de France and boosted his overall lead.
The Belgian had finished second in each of the first three stages of this year’s race, but this time his plan worked perfectly.
A breathtaking attack on the last ascent made him clear his place and hold on to the kilometers near Calais.
Van Aert moves at 25 seconds in the general classification.
Behind him, Jasper Philipsen won a sprint set on the line and raised his arms thinking he had won the stage, illustrating the chaotic nature of the finish.
This was all due to Van Aert’s attack on the Cote du Cap Blanc Nez, with a cross tailwind helping to split the group as they tried to stay with him.
More to track.
Fourth stage results
1. Wout van Aert (Bel / Jumbo-Visma) 4 hours 1 minute 6 seconds
2. Jasper Philipsen (Bel / Alpecin-Deceuninck) + 8 seconds
3. Christophe Laporte (Fra / Jumbo-Visma) same time
4. Alexandre Kristof (nor/Intermarsh) same time
5. Peter Sagan (Svk / TotalEnergies) Same time
6. Luca Mozzato (ETA / B&B hotels) same time
7. Danny van Poppel (Ned / Bora Hansgrohe) same time
8. Hugo Hofstetter (Fra / Arkia Samsik) same time
9. Michael Matthews (Aus/BikeExchange-Jayco) same time
10. Benjamin Thomas (Fra / Cofidis) same time
General classification after the fourth stage
1. Wout van Aert (Bel / Jumbo-Visma) 13 hours 02 minutes 43 seconds
2. Yves Lambert (Bell / Quick Step Alpha Vinyl) + 25 seconds
3. Tadaj Pogacar (Slaw / UAE Team Emirates) + 32 seconds
4. Mads Pedersen (Den/Trek Segafredo) +36sec
5. Matthew van der Poel (Ned / Alpsin-Dekoninck) + 38 seconds
6. Jonas Weinggaard (Dean/Jumbo-Visma) +40sec
7. Primoz Roglic (Slo / Jumbo-Visma) + 41 seconds
8. Adam Yates (GB / Ineos Grenadiers) + 48 seconds
9. Stefan Kung (Swi / Groupama – FDJ Same time
10. Tom Bidcock (GB / Ineos Grenadiers) + 49 seconds
