Giampaolo Caruso stays in the overall classification lead
Romain Feillu took the bunch sprint in the fourth stage of the Vuelta a Burgos into Salas De Los Infantes. Feillu, who rides for Vacansoleil, propelled himself past Denis Galimzyanov (Katusha) and Enrico Rossi (Ceramica Flaminia) in the 173km-long stage. Giampaolo Caruso stays in the overall lead.
It was Feillu’s first win of the 2010 season. “I trained hard in July and feel sharp and in shape. The team did a great job getting me in a good position and I was capable to take the win. I look forward to the upcoming races,” Feillu said. He was already third in the opening stage
After four kilometers, Luca Celli, Kevin Hulsmans and Alessandro Bertolini initiated a break. They were joined by Daniel Díaz and Luis Mas at kilometer 12. All but Hulsman were quickly caught and the Belgian was then joined by Antonio Piedra, Mikel Ilundain, Fabrice Piemontesi and Sebastian Langeveld.
At the first KOM, the Alto Del Majadal, Piedra was ahead of Ilundain, Piemontesi and Langeveld. The peloton was 2’38 back (kilometer 66). Twenty kilometers later the bunch had lost a further half minute, as Piedra was again first over the KOM, the Alto De Sancuerno. Langeveld, Piemontesi and Hulsmans took the other points.
Katusha then powered the peloton and past the 100km mark the lead was down to two and a half minutes. At kilometer 132, the five front runners were caught for good, including the resilient Hulsmans.
Preben van Hecke immediately countered and was the first one over the top at the final KOM, at kilometer 155 (Alto Del Cerro). Manuel Calvente, Igor Antón and Valero Agnoli followed behind, but two kilometers later the whole of the peloton was once again together.
Results stage four, Vilviestre del Pinar – Lagunas de Neila, 173 km
1. Romain Feillu (Vacansoleil) in 4h05’27
2. Denis Galimzyanov (Katusha)
3. Enrico Rossi (Ceramica Flaminia)
4. Davide Cimolai (Liquigas)
5. Koldo Fernandez de Larrea (Euskaltel)
6. Tim Mertens (Topsport Vlaanderen)
7. Maarten Neyens (Topsport Vlaanderen)
8. Enrique Mata (Footon-Servetto)
9. Luca Paolini (Acqua&Sapone)
10. Oscar Grau (Burgos 2016)
Standings after stage four
1. Giampaolo Caruso (Katusha)
2. José Iván Gutiérrez (Caisse d’Epargne) 0’09
3. Olivier Zaugg (Liquigas) 0’10
4. Vladimir Karpets (Rusland/Katusha) 0’14
5. David López (Caisse d’Epargne) 0’18