Torstein Træen (Bahrain Victorious) pulled away early on the 171 kilometre stage from Rüschlikon to the Gotthard Pass. It was an impressive solo win for the Norwegian, who dedicated the victory to his deceased teammate Gino Mäder.
The fourth stage featured the first real climb. The Gotthard ascent is a category one climb, the first of this year’s race. In honour of the Swiss rider Gino Mäder, whose death occurred during the last Tour der Suisse, this was dedicated as the #rideforgino KOM.
As a member of Gino Mäder’s team, stage winner Torstein Træen (Bahrain Victorious) was quick to dedicate his first pro win to his teammate. “This win was for Gino,” said Træen “it means a lot to me to win here on the #rideforgino climb. We always miss him and ride for him.” In addition to the stage win, Træen also took the lead in the KOM classification.
The breakaway called the shots
It was not only on the climb today that the race was decided. Thirty kilometres from the finish a six-man breakaway took off. Among them was Swiss rider Silvan Dillier (Alpecin-Deceuninck). The breakaway gained more than six minutes on the peloton. On the Gotthard ascent, with an average gradient of 6.8%, Torstein Traen attacked and dropped his fellow breakaway riders.
General Classification riders did not give up and there were more attacks from the peloton. Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) in particular managed to put Traen under real pressure. Ultimately the Norwegian won with 23 seconds advantage. For Yates the chase was rewarded with the yellow jersey which he will wear as the new race leader at the start of the fifth stage tomorrow.