Gerald Ciolek joins the winning-club after his stage 4 win at the Volta ao Algarve 2012
Gerald Ciolek shined at the fourth stage of the Volta ao Algarve. The cyclist displayed a tremendous display of his abilities during the 186.3 kilometre pursuit to Tavira.
The German finished the race in the fastest time of 4 hours, 35 minutes and 1 second and claimed the top spot.
His team-mate, Matteo Trentin achieved the second position with Heinrich Haussler, Edvald Boasson Hagen and Francesco Lasca at the third, the fourth and the fifth positions, respectively.
"This is an incredible feeling, It's been a long time without a victory for me," was the first reaction by the cyclist after he crossed the finish-line.
The German briefed that his side, Team Omega Pharma-Quick Step, rode brilliantly and was in control of the race right from the start.
Ciolek cited, "Then the final with the entire team - it's unbelievable how all the riders know their jobs really well, and their position. Everyone knows what they have to do at which ever moment of the race".
"I don't want to say it was easy to win, but it was a big help to have riders like these together. In the last kilometre, I think it was Tony who pulled the sprint", he concluded.
Stage 3 winner Richie Porte was leading the fourth stage classifications with a firm lead of 12 seconds over Tiago Machado and 14 seconds over Rui Costa.
He kept a close eye on his main rivals and continued his dominance at the overall classifications after his 21st place finish on the fourth day.
Jan Bakelants won the mountain’s category of the race, while Michal Kwiatkowski and Jan Bakelants succeeded at the first and the second sprints.
Edvald Boasson Hagen is currently leading the point’s classifications with 41 points in his bag. Gerald Ciolek, Matti Breschel and Gianni Meersman stand at the next three positions.
Team Movistar is leading the stage 4 classifications, while Team Vacansoleil, Team Sky, Team Saxo Bank and Team Lotto Belisol are at the second, the third, the fourth and the fifth positions in the respective order.
With one more stage to go at the Volta Ao Algarve, Richie Porte will definitely keep a close eye on the main contenders to ensure his first overall victory of the season.
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