Nikolay Trusov took 11th place behind Jonas Ahlstrand on the final stage 4 of Tour de l’Eurométropole, while Manuele Boaro finished 12th in the overall classification. Tinkoff-Saxo - that had been looking for windy conditions to create differences in the GC – rerouted its strategy to try out for the stage instead.

“Today was the last stage of 154 km. We had sunny weather, 17 degrees and unfortunately no wind. It was a very traditional stage with a fast start and then a 6-man breakaway. Coming into the final circuit things heated up. Especially during the last 50km due to 3 bonus sprints on top of a hill, which could change the podium. We stayed alert and in the final 20km we had Boaro and Brutt in some moves - but our overall plan was to go for the stage win in the predictable bunch sprint”, comments Lars Michaelsen.

At the end of the 153.8km stage from Mons to Tournai it was Jonas Ahlstrand, who took the stage win. Lars Michaelsen notes that designated team sprinter lacked the last kick on the final 300 meters.

“Coming into the final 5 kilometers, the guys stayed focused and rode with a good amount of unity. Tosatto took a great turn at the front of the pack and swung out with 1km to go. Mørkøv then piloted Trusov onto the train of Cofidis and the wheel of today’s winner in order to sit in the best possible position with 300 meters to go. Unfortunately, Trusov lacked the final kick on the last few hundred meters today”, finishes Lars Michaelsen.