Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana) left the peloton 4 kilometers from the top in this 142 kilometer stage between Villabassa in Italy and Kals am Grossglockner in Austria, to come back then give way to Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) and cross the finish line alone. arrival.
The 28-year-old Colombian climber picked up his 22nd victory of his career. He had last raised his arms during the 18th stage of the Vuelta in September 2021.
In the peloton, the favorites were marked all along the final climb, but Romain Bardet (DSM), third in the stage, sprinted to pocket 4 bonus seconds in front of the race leader Pello Bilbao.
In general, the Frenchman is therefore 2 seconds behind the Spanish rider, the Hungarian Attila Walter remaining 3rd at 12 seconds.
The 5th and last stage with a less rugged 114.5 km loop around Lienz in Austria, disputed on Friday, will offer 4 short and tough climbs with two listed: Bannberg (5.5 km at 10.2%) and Stona (3, 2km at 11.8%).