In a thrilling fourth stage of the Tour de Suisse, Norwegian cyclist Torstein Traeen from Bahrain Victorious secured a remarkable victory on the challenging Saint Gotthard Pass. Traeen, the only rider from the breakaway group to hold off the chasing pack, crossed the finish line 23 seconds ahead of British rider Adam Yates from UAE Team Emirates. This win marks Traeen’s first World Tour victory, adding a significant milestone to his career.
Adam Yates Grabs the Leader’s Jersey
Finishing second, Adam Yates not only showcased his strength and determination but also claimed the coveted leader’s jersey. The stage saw Yates making a strategic move from the group of favorites, closing the gap and solidifying his position at the top of the general classification. He now leads by 26 seconds over Joao Almeida of Portugal and Mattias Skjelmose of Denmark, both strong contenders from UAE Team Emirates and Lidl-Trek respectively.
A Grueling Climb Claims the Former Leader
The 37-kilometer climb to the summit at 2092 meters proved too taxing for the previous leader, Italian cyclist Alberto Bettiol of EF Education-EasyPost, who fell back significantly, losing over three minutes. The intense competition and relentless ascent reshaped the leaderboard, highlighting the endurance and strategic prowess required to excel in such a demanding stage.
Race to the Finish Line
As the Tour de Suisse reaches its midpoint, the competition intensifies with only a few stages left, culminating in an individual time trial from Aigle to Villars-sur-Ollon. Yates holds a narrow lead, with Almeida and Skjelmose closely trailing. The final stages promise high stakes and fierce battles as riders vie for the overall victory.
Stage 4 Results: Ruschlikon to Saint Gotthard Pass (171 km)
- Torstein Traeen (Norway/Bahrain Victorious) – 4:10.21
- Adam Yates (Great Britain/UAE Team Emirates) + 23s
- Mattias Skjelmose (Denmark/Lidl-Trek) + 48s
- Joao Almeida (Portugal/UAE Team Emirates) + 48s
- Egan Bernal (Colombia/Ineos Grenadiers) + 1.00
- Oscar Onley (Great Britain/DSM-firmenich) + 1.27
General Classification After Stage 4
- Adam Yates (Great Britain/UAE Team Emirates) – 11:50.08
- Joao Almeida (Portugal/UAE Team Emirates) + 26s
- Mattias Skjelmose (Denmark/Lidl-Trek) + 26s
- Egan Bernal (Colombia/Ineos Grenadiers) + 49s
- Wilco Kelderman (Netherlands/Visma) + 1.15
- Oscar Onley (Great Britain/DSM-firmenich) + 1.17
The race continues with high anticipation as the cyclists prepare for the final push towards the finish, each stage bringing new challenges and opportunities for glory.
