Vuelta a España stage 4: Kaden Groves wins on tricky finish in Tarragona

Kaden Groves of Alpecin-Deceuninck lived up to his pre-stage billing as the out-and-out favourite, with the Australian sprinter coming around Juan Sebastián Molano (UAE Team Emirates) in the closing metres to win stage 4 of the Vuelta a España.

Molano had been the man to take the initiative heading into the final bend, but perhaps misjudged his efforts and was left slowing down as the line drew near.

Over the top of Molano came Groves, who added to his stage victories at last year’s Vuelta and this year’s Giro d’Italia. The finale was marred by a couple of crashes as a technical conclusion brought a thrilling finish in Tarragona.

"It was a really hard day with only DSM and ourselves controlling," reflected Groves. "I had to use two guys to control the breakaway, and they used a lot of energy but my team was fantastic today. They were super aggressive and it paid off with the victory."

"[Sebastián Molano] went from the bottom with about 350m to go. I was patient enough and strong enough to close him with about 100m to go. I thought I was confident about passing him because he had led out from 350m to go and finishing like that is super tough. I’m really happy."

A tranquil stage ends in drama with a technical sprint finish

Beginning in Andorra la Vella, one question stood true amongst the peloton and media pack alike: would this be a day for the breakaway or the sprinters? Unfortunately for those of us eager to draft up likely race reports and prep the day’s potential headlines, our answer would have to wait, as the early breakaway had all the hallmarks of one that would not play a major role in the day’s proceedings.

Of course, the stage is all the more improved for the intrigue and uncertainty that the Vuelta so often provides, with an air of suspicion cascading on the peloton as they worked their way towards the day’s two categorised climbs. On the march out front were the trio of Eduardo Sepúlveda (Lotto Dstny), Ander Okamika (Burgos BH) and David González (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA), who had formed the breakaway after the day’s first real offensive.

Okamika was the most experienced of the trio, having made two prior starts at the Vuelta, and González is a handy rider in a sprint, but most eyes were on Sepúlveda as the rider occupying the race’s blue polka dot jersey. Although Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) is the leader of the King of the Mountains classification, the Belgian is of course preoccupied with wearing the leader’s red jersey.

Having been in the breakaway on stage 3 and snaffling up 10 points on the first categorised climb that Monday offered up, Sepúlveda found himself in second place behind the Belgian in the KoM rankings - but level on points. His presence in the three-rider move - and the lightweight rather than aero wheels that equipped his Ridley bike - signalled his expectations for their chances, with the Argentine’s ambitions likely centred firmly on taking points on the two climbs.

As for the race leader, Evenepoel was looking forward to a more relaxed stage in the saddle following his post-race tumble the previous day. The race leader was sporting stitches owing to the facial cuts that GCN and Eurosport’s Carlton Kirby attributed to his broken sunglasses from the crash.

Read more: Remco Evenepoel crashes after taking Vuelta a España stage win

© Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images

Remco Evenepoel will not be in a rush to frame any photos from his first day back in the red jersey

With Alpecin-Deceuninck and dsm-firmenich teaming up to pace the peloton on behalf of their sprinters - Kaden Groves and Alberto Dainese, respectively - the gap to the three-rider breakaway exceeded two minutes only for a short while and had fallen to nearer a minute and a half by the time the front group began the first climb of the day.

In light of his cooperation throughout the afternoon, Sepúlveda’s breakaway companions allowed him to roll over the summit of the Alto de Belltall (9.3km at 3.7%) in first position, securing him the maximum three points that put him into the sole lead of the virtual KoM classification. Sepúlveda secured the outright lead by taking maximum points on the subsequent Coll de Lilla (5.2km at 4.9%), but the breakaway’s fate was sealed at this point, with the gap under 20 seconds by the time they passed its peak.

As for the state of play in the peloton, dsm-firmenich and Alpecin-Deceuninck continued to press a dictating pace over both climbs and quelled any fears of a small breakaway producing an upset. With almost 30km of gentle descending to the finish in Tarragona, a sprint finish now looked guaranteed. With a technical finale, however, a steely focus had to be retained as the bunch mopped up the breakaway troubadours with 19km to ride.

© Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images

Eduardo Sepúlveda was rewarded for his efforts in the stage 4 breakaway

Andrea Vendrame (AG2R Citroën) extended his lead in the green jersey at the intermediate sprint, before Ineos Grenadiers drove the pace as the peloton rampaged towards Tarragona. Their intent was not for the stage but to shield their leaders from any dangers that might await the peloton, and almost on cue, a crash befell the bunch just 3.9km from the line. Among those hitting the deck were Bahrain Victorious’ Santiago Buitrago and Cofidis’ Bryan Coquard, with all of the GC favourites appearing to have escaped the mishap.

Into the city and full of adrenaline, nerves and expectation, Lotto Dstny and Lidl-Trek were two more names to the forefront, whilst UAE Team Emirates positioned themselves well for the hopes of Sebastián Molano. It was a physical battle inside the final kilometre as the riders jostled for position, with Marijn van den Berg (EF Education-EasyPost) and Groves' teammate Robbe Ghys sliding out on the penultimate corner.

Molano was the man to open up his sprint first and looked as though he had Groves in almost acceptance of defeat, looking over his shoulder and checking on his competition for second place behind the Colombian. The pair had a gap following the crash, but having rounded the last bend, it became apparent that Molano’s sprint may well not last until the line and Groves kicked once more.

For the Australian, he was rewarded for his grit and determination, with the final sprint seeing him round Molano just 25m from the finish line. It was an important stage victory for Groves, with Alpecin-Deceuninck justified in pacing the peloton throughout the course of the afternoon.

Edward Theuns rounded out the stage podium in third for Lidl-Trek, whilst reports emerged of Buitrago managing to come over the line 2:22 after the stage winner.

Despite ending in a sprint, the series of crashes resulted in a chaotic approach for the GC favourites and there were some gaps on the line, but in the official results all of the first 51 riders were given the same time as the winner.

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