Experience the anticipation as the riders approach the finish line at the motor racing circuit in Nogaro. Quinn Simmons of Lidl-Trek, known as a rouleur, has proven his ability to win on similar surfaces. His previous victory at the Vuelta a San Juan in Argentina showed his knack for attacking at the right moment and outpacing the sprinters. Although he suggested replicating this strategy today, his team boss vetoed the idea.
The lack of action on the road is evident as the peloton leisurely continues its journey with nothing noteworthy happening. Even the Bahrain Victorious team urged someone to break away from the group, but to no avail. Four riders made a feeble attempt to escape, but they were quickly reeled back in. In situations like this, race directors sometimes intervene and request teams to launch an attack. However, no such intervention has occurred yet.
The slow pace of the peloton has led to conversations among the cyclists, while the Eurosport commentators struggle to find topics to discuss. It’s a nightmare for the Tour organizers to witness such a lackluster stage. One would expect the smaller teams, who are invited to participate, to seize the opportunity to gain publicity for their sponsors and inject some excitement into the race.
As the stage begins, there is a noticeable absence of riders attempting to break away from the group. Neilson Powless, the current holder of the King of the Mountain jersey, and who had a great time interacting with the crowd yesterday, also shows no interest in making an early move. With only one King of the Mountain point available, the sprinters seem content to conserve their energy for the final straight.
Stage four commences in Dax, southwestern France, with hopes of a more substantial breakaway than the previous day’s two-man effort. Quinn Simmons, the American national champion, stands out in his appropriate attire for Independence Day. Christian Prudhomme, the race director, notes the potential for a sprinter rematch or a small breakaway group benefiting from the hilly terrain of Gers. The stage finish at the Nogaro motor-racing circuit promises a rare and exciting victory.
In the General Classification, Adam Yates of UAE Team Emirates maintains his lead with a six-second advantage over his team leader, Tadej Pogacar. Stage four, relatively flat compared to the rest, sets the stage for another bunch sprint. The key for the overall contenders is to stay upright and avoid accidents. Although a north wind may provide some excitement, it is likely to be a hot and grueling day for the cyclists.
After Jasper Philipsen’s victory in Bayonne, stage four offers another opportunity for the sprinters. Mark Cavendish, currently tied with Eddy Merckx for the most career Tour de France stage wins, seeks one more victory to claim the record. However, at 38 years old, Cavendish faces challenges as he lacks a strong lead-out train. Nonetheless, he remains optimistic and views today’s flat terrain as favorable.
Adam Yates starts the stage in the yellow jersey, and it seems unlikely that he will relinquish it unless faced with unforeseen circumstances. Tadej Pogacar wears the white jersey for best young rider, Victor Lafay dons the green jersey for leading the points classification, and Neilson Powless proudly holds onto the polka-dot jersey as the King of the Mountains. The race departs from Dax at 12:10 PM (BST), and we’ll be with the riders every step of the way.
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