The Movistar Team fought for success on stage four of the Vuelta a Burgos, a 165km journey from Belorado to the Valle del Sol summit in Pineda de la Sierra. Despite the riders directed by Chente García Acosta trying to make things harder to control for Astana - with some brief echelons provoked by Sutherland, Soler and Visconti - the turquoise squad dominated the ascent and led out Colombian Miguel Ángel Lopez towards the overall lead.

The Blues - four of them making the decisive, 18-man selection, including Visconi (13th) - fought to keep the front until the final 500 meters, where López’s acceleration alongside Moreno (KAT, 2nd) and Scarponi (AST, 4th) did not leave them any chances. Eventually, Jesús Herrada was sixth in both the stage and the GC standings (+33”) as Rubén Fernández - 7th - now sits in eighth, 38” back, with Winner Anacona a place further down at 44”.

Saturday will bring the Spanish stage race to a close with a traditional mountain trek towards the Lagunas de Neila, including seven rated climbs in its 170km course.