The 24-year-old spent more than 140 kilometers at the front of the race.
The fourth stage of the Middle Eastern race wasn’t only the shortest of this edition, it was also the last opportunity for the sprinters to fight for victory before the GC showdown on the Green Mountain. However, this didn’t prevent Warre Vangheluwe from attacking right from the moment the peloton left behind the short neutral zone in Al Sawadi Beach.
The Belgian, who is in his third season with Soudal Quick-Step, was joined by one other rider, and together with him they went on to open a two-minute maximum gap on the peloton, where several teams joined hands in order to keep the duo on a tight leash. Staying true to his nature, Warre produced a great effort in the break, despite knowing their chances of making it were slim, and showed great determination on these long, flat roads, remaining off the front for three hours and coming agonizingly close to the finish.
After the catch was made with just four kilometers to go, it came down to a bunch sprint. The victory went to Erlend Blikra (Uno-X Mobility), while Stan Van Tricht finished stage four as the first Soudal Quick-Step rider home.
I can be content with my effort and ride on this pan-flat stage.
“There aren’t many opportunities here for a rider like me, so after trying to get involved in the opening day sprint, I decided to try something different today. It was difficult only in two, but I believed in myself and in our chances, so I gave it my best. Now I look forward to helping the team on the last stage”, Warre said at the finish.
Photo credit: ©Szymon Gruchalski / Getty Images
