On paper, the fourth stage of the Tour of Spain (2.WT, 14/08-5/09) didn’t contain any danger for the red kit of Rein Taaramäe. Team Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert controlled a breakaway of three riders from the start in Burgo de Osma. The escapees managed to increase the gap to 4 minutes, but never endangered the jersey of Taaramäe of the 163.9 kilometer parcours towards Molina de Aragon. The peloton was nervous at the approach of the finish, and Taaramäe couldn’t avoid a crash under the 2 kilometer sign. Luckily, the red jersey could immediately get in the saddle again to reach the finish with some abrasions. He was given the same time as stage winner Fabio Jabobsen, so kept the leader’s jersey on the eve of the fifth stage through open fields between Tarancon and Albacete. Riccardo Minali sprinted to 10th place.
This was incredible! We enjoyed this day a lot. It was fantastic to see my teammates leading the peloton the whole day. Of course I would have preferred to end the day without a crash, but luckily it was more fright than pain. I'll continue defending the jersey the next days. Tomorrow we'll need to be attentive for wind and echelons. The day after, positioning on the foot of the steep and short climb towards the finish in Cullera will be crucial. We'll defend this beautiful jersey as long as possible!
I'm happy to finish again in the top 10 of a stage. Although it wasn't without difficulties. The team worked well for Rein all day, so I had to do the positioning towards the sprint on my own. I was a bit boxed in in the final kilometer but then found a gap so I could pass several riders in de last 500 meter. I can be happy with this result and especially with my feeling. This is promising for the next sprints.
