As the roads went significantly skywards for the first time at this year’s Tirreno-Adriatico, Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) ensured his reputation remains sky-high by winning stage four ahead of an elite chasing group.
After team-mate Roman Kreuziger set the early pace into Cittareale, El Pistolero showed the form which has brought him five career Grand Tour wins – plus two stripped from the record – as he accelerated to the summit finish ahead of Nairo Quintana (Movistar).
The GC remains open however, with Michal Kwiatkowski (Omega Pharma-Quickstep) maintaining his blue jersey after finishing seventh, while Richie Porte (Team Sky) and Daniel Moreno (Katusha) were among the riders to cross in the chasing group.
Relive the stage through the lens of UCI photographer Stefano Sirotti in the full-screen gallery below.
