In the fourth stage of the Santos Tour Down Under 2024, BORA-hansgrohe’s Sam Welsford took another victory, reaffirming his dominance in the sprints. The 28-year-old Australian showed his unbeatable speed in the sprint through the streets of Port Elliot, keeping Biniam Girmay and Lars Boven behind him, in 2nd and 3rd positions respectively.
Brazilian on the getaway of the day
On a day that saw the abandonment of Luke Plapp and Cameron Scott, victims of the previous day’s accident, after some attacks the Brazilian Vinicius Rangel (Movistar) and the Australian Jackson Medway (Australian team) opened an escape that recorded 4 minutes of difference to the peloton, being reached with around 13km to go.
Arrival in sprint
Just before the last corner, the powerful Ryan Mullen accelerated in favor of BORA. Danny van Poppel was in his wheel, but Biniam Girmay was between them and Sam Welsford. The Dutch cyclist hesitated briefly, reaching for his Australian leader. Although he was not found, Van Poppel decided to impose the race to prevent other teams from overtaking them.
Initially, it was the Dutchman Lars Boven who accelerated hard, but the powerful Welsford soon appeared. Girmay tried to keep up with them, doing tricks, but the 28-year-old Australian cyclist proved to be stronger on his birthday. With the result, the young Mexican talent from UAE Team Emirates, Isaac del Toro, remains at the top of the competition’s general classification.
Portuguese and Brazilian in the test
The Portuguese Ruben Guerreiro and António Morgado finished the stage in 28th and 53rd positions, respectively. Brazilian Vinícius Rangel finished in 87th place. Everyone finished with the main squad.
Watch the arrival:
Results of the 4th stage of the Tour Down Under
Tour Down Under general classification after the 4th stage
