Solo Sanchez break seals Alps win, Pinot holds lead

Froome fourth as he continues preparations for Giro

ROME, April 19, (AFP): Luis Leon Sanchez of Astana launched a trademark late break to win stage four of the Tour of the Alps on Thursday as French climber Thibaut Pinot kept the overall lead.

Sky’s four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome is also well placed after coming tenth on the stage. The Briton is just 16 seconds adrift of FDJ leader Pinot in the overall standings ahead of Friday’s intriguing final stage.

Spain’s Luis Leon Sanchez celebrates winning the 4th stage, from Klausen to Lienz of the Tour

of the Alps in Lienz, Austria on April 19. (AFP)

Italy’s Domenico Pozzovivo and Colombian Miguel Angel Lopez Moreno are second and third overall with Froome fourth as he continues his preparations for next month’s Giro d’Italia.

The Astana team dominated the final climb in this 134km run from Chiusa in Italy to Lienz in Austria before a steep descent and a 2km run for the line where Sanchez made his move.

The Spaniard created enough of a gap to win by six seconds ahead of Kiwi George Bennett of LottoNLJumbo and his Dutch teammate Koen Bouwman.

“In the final I knew I had to attack to win the stage,” said Sanchez.

“I did it a few times, on the downhill and later inside the last two kilometers. The second time it worked well, and I could get a small gap, enough to win.

CYCLING