Joaquim Rodrizguez (Katusha), one of the World Tour peloton’s most consistent performers, has won the fourth stage of the 2012 Tour of the Basque Country.
The Spaniard, who has already achieved top 10 overall finishes in the Tour of Oman and Tirenno-Adriatico this year, soloed to victory on a brutal gradient of nearly 20 per cent in the closing 500 metres of the 151km stage from Eibar to Bera-Ibardin.
Rodriguez finished second on yesterday’s third stage and today topped the stage and overall standings. He dedicated his victory to Russian Cycling Federation president, Igor Markov, as a birthday gift for the 50-year-old Katusha chief.
“I’m happy I have the leader´s jersey for the second year in a row: now we have to do all we could to keep it,” he said. “It won’t be easy because of Saturday´s ITT: races against the clock are not my speciality, but this one will be quite technical, with many ups and downs. It won’t be a classic time trial, moreover now I have a nice gap: so I think I have some chances, at least, to be on the podium in the final general classification.”
Rodriguez displaced Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) at the top of the general classification. The pair had been tied on time, and Sanchez’ second place on today’s stage, nine seconds behind Rodriguez, is reflected in the overall standings.
Sanchez paid handsome tribute to Rodriguez, describing him as “virtually unbeatable” on the brutal gradients of the run in to Bera-Ibardin. He also thanked the crowds who had lined the roads and made a plea for the race’s continuation.
Team Sky’s Sergio Henao finished third, just three seconds behind Sanchez. His teammate, Lars-Petter Nordhaug, was fifth.
Directeur sportif, Marcus Ljungqvist, described the final kilometre as “a wall” and paid tribute to Henao, Nordhaug, and 21st placed Michael Barry.
“The last kilometre was really steep but it was a really nice ride from Sergio and Lars-Petter. What they did there was world class. It was good to see Mick back as well to show he is up there after yesterday.
“The guys they were up there with are big names but they are in really good shape. It is a big race for them and they are really up there with the best.”
Tomorrow’s fifth stage will take the riders on a 183.5km route from Bera to Oñati.
Tour of the Basque Country stage four – result
1) Joaquim Oliver (SPA) – Katusha Team – 3.55.56
2) Samuel Sanchez (SPA) – Euskaltel-Euskadi + 9”
3) Sergio Henao (COL) – Team Sky + 12”
4) Robert Kiserlovski (CRO) – Astana
5) Lars Petter Nordhaug (NOR) – Team Sky +16”
6) Michele Scarponi (ITA) – Lampre-ISD
7) Jurgen Van Den Broeck (BEL) – Lotto Belisol
8) Wout Poels (NED) – Vacansoleil-DCM
9) Simon Spilak (SLO) – Katusha
10) Ryder Hesjedal (CAN) – Garmin-Barracuda
General classification
1) Joaquim Rodriguez (SPA) – Katusha Team – 16.02.02
2) Samuel Sanchez (SPA) – Euskaltel-Euskadi + 9”
3) Christopher Horner (USA) – RadioShack-Nissan-Trek +21”
4) Robert Kiserlovski (CRO) – Astana + 24”
5) Sergio Henao (COL) – Team Sky
6) Ryder Hesjedal (CAN) – Garmin-Barracuda +28”
7) Wout Poels (NED) – Vacansoleil-DCM
8) Jurgen Van Den Broeck (BEL) – Lotto Belisol
9) Lars Petter Nordhaug (NOR) – Team Sky
10) Michele Scarponi (ITA) – Lampre-ISD
