Lenny Martinez (Bahrain – Victorious) won the 4th stage of the Tour de Romandie, considered the queen stage on Saturday. After 128.4 kilometers between Sion and Thyon 2000, the French runner won after a two -two sprint with Joao Almeida (AUE) at the top of the monster of this 78th edition. For its part, Remco Evenepoel has been widely distant. The Belgian finished 11th, with the young Junior Lecerf in his wheel, 1 minute and 29 seconds from Martinez.
This is the stage that everyone was looking forward to. A short step, but very difficult with four climbs – including two of 1st category – to climb before starting the final ascent to the summit of the Thyon 2000 station: a rise of 20.2 terminals to 7.7% on average!
The favorites logically waited for this legendary collar to explain, while Julien Bernardlast survivor of the breakaway, was revised 14 kilometers from the term. 9 kilometers from the finish, the race changed. Remco Evenepoelyet serene until then, was surprisingly found itself in the back of the peloton with Junior Lecerfbetter placed as general.
Evenepoel, the UAE team took the opportunity to print a big rhythm in front. Jay Vinewinner on Friday, launched the first attack 7.4 km from the summit. Only JOAO ALMEIDA, Lenny Martinez et Lorenzo Fortunato (XDS Astana) managed to follow him. Three kilometers further, Almeida gave one. This time, only Martinez responded. The two runners finally decided on the sprint, won by the young Frenchman. Behind, Fortunato has ahead of Vine and Carlos Rodriguez (INEOS).
Thanks to his victory, the most beautiful in his career, Lenny Martinez took the head of the general, 2 seconds ahead of the Italian Fortunato and 3 on the Portuguese Almeida. Well helped by Evenepoel, Lercerf recedes in 5th position, 54 seconds from French. The double Olympic champion is 9th (+ 1: 41) and says goodbye to any hope of final victory, which will be played on the last stage on Sunday: a trappy chrono 17 kilometers in the streets of Geneva.
