Milan: Primoz Roglic claimed the fourth stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico on Thursday after a late burst which earned his first win of the season, as Lennard Kamna took the overall lead.
Jumbo-Visma rider Roglic blew past other contenders in the final metres to finish just ahead of Julian Alaphilippe and Adam Yates after a largely uneventful day in the week-long stage race.
The Slovenian, a three-time Vuelta a Espana winner, took charge after team-mate Wout van Aert crashed just as the stage was reaching its climax.
"It was a hard day. I had to fight all day from far, fight for positions before the climb. We were not lucky with Wout crashing but I still managed to finish it off," Roglic told broadcaster RAI.
"I'm just coming back. It was some time that I was away. We want to go day by day we have strong team here."
Bora-Hansgrohe rider Kamna replaced Filippo Ganna at the top of the general classification after the home hope was dropped in the final kilometres of the stage.
Kamna is six seconds ahead of Roglic and eight in front of UAE rider Joao Almeida.
"It was a very hard finish, much harder than expected actually but I'm glad that I could take the jersey today," said Kamna.
"It will be hard tomorrow. We have to play it smart and keep the jersey after the stage."
An initial break featuring mountains jersey holder Davide Bais was caught with 60 kilometres remaining of the 218km stage, just before the peloton moved into the first of four circuits around seaside town Tortoreto.
Strade Bianche winner Tom Pidcock and Van Aert touched wheels and crashed before the final climb, leaving two of the general classification contenders out of the fight with 3km to go and paving the way for Roglic's win.
The riders will take on their first summit finish in Thursday's fifth stage, which runs 168km from Morro d'Oro to Sassotetto. -- AFP
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
