British rider Ben Turner celebrates winning the fourth stage of the Vuelta a Espana
Voiron (France) (AFP) - British rider Ben Turner won a bunch sprint on stage four of the Vuelta a Espana on Tuesday by nudging ahead of Belgian Jasper Philipsen after a long 206km ride from Italy into France.
Frenchman David Gaudu took the overall race lead from Jonas Vingegaard, who finished near the back of the main bunch, with Giulio Ciccone in third, Egan Bernal fourth and Tom Pidcock fifth.
“I won yesterday and today I get the red jersey, thanks to great work from my team. It’s symbolic, beautiful,” said the beaming Frenchman.
Vingegaard also lost the sprint points jersey to his Danish compatriot Mads Pedersen, who was sixth on the day.
Turner’s win for Ineos Grenadiers continues a trend of improvement since the return of Dave Brailsford to the team’s helm.
It was a first Grand tour stage win for the 26-year-old from Doncaster, who took advantage of a misunderstanding between Philipsen and his lead out man to steal in front.
“I had the best guys around me and I really trusted in what I had to do. It turned out perfect, it was just the perfect finish for me,” said Turner, whose chain came off on the stage one finish.
Team UAE’s Spanish rider Juan Ayuso remains atop the white jersey standings.
After the Montgenevre climb the Vuelta crossed the Italian border into France with the finish line at the town of Voiron at the foot of the Alps.
The Italian sejour produced two memorable finishes with Vingegaard claiming stage two and Gaudu of FDJ stealing a famous win on day three.
A long overnight transfer now takes the peloton all the way down to the Catalan town of Figueres known for its Salvador Dali Museum.
Wednesday’s 24.1km team time-trial could well produce a new red jersey.
British outfit Ineos will almost certainly target the win headed by Italian Filippo Ganna and Colombian climber Bernal.
Overnight leader Gaudu said his Team Groupama FDJ were already happy but would “give everything” Wednesday to keep the lead.