Skive > Skive 166.7km

Unfortunately, the gravel stage was a bit of a non-event, time for the fourth stage and another opportunity for the sprinters.

Weather

Sunny and not much wind.

Finale

The stage ends with three laps of this circuit. It’s relatively straightforward, and it includes a little kicker, but it’s only 350m in length. The final corner comes with 2km to go, but there is a fast left-hand bend with just 500m to go, I’d want to be on the inside for this one.

Tactics

It’s a standard sprint stage, that’s it. Alpecin, Jumbo-Visma and QuickStep will be happy to chase down the morning break, setting up a big finish. The intermediate sprints aren’t in a position where they’ll have any impact, this day is all about the final 5km. The three teams mentioned have the best sprint trains, it’ll be interesting to see who gets it right in this stage. QuickStep almost got it right in the opening stage, but they hit the front too early. Today, Laporte nailed it, timing his surge to the front to perfection. Who will nail the sprint in this stage?

Contenders

Olav Kooij – two stage wins, both in very long stages, it really is incredible for someone so young. With Van Dijke, Van Der Sande and Laporte to lead him out, he knows that he’s going to start the sprint from a good position, and he’s got the power to finish it off. Another win and he’ll match his haul of three stage wins from the ZLM Tour, his success rate is very impressive. Laporte isn’t going to go for bonus seconds, that will happen in the final stage.

Jasper Philipsen – was a little unlucky not to win the opening stage, his sprint was excellent, but Kooij had his wheel. His final man in this race is Timo Kielich, he’s a big powerful lad, but Philipsen could well decide to follow Kooij and let him open up the sprint. This is a risky tactic, if Laporte delivers the perfect lead out, coming round Kooij will be impossible. Given his speed, it’s hard to imagine Philipsen won’t leave this race with a win.

Ethan Vernon – follow Mørkøv and good things happen. The young Englishman should have one focus in the closing stages, the wheel of Mørkøv. Forget about everything else, follow him where ever he goes, then sprint with 250 to go. Use the force!

Timothy Dupont – was 3^rd in the opening stage, his teammates did a great job getting him into position. Dupont is fast, but not as quick as the big two, but that won’t stop him getting in the mix and trying to upset the odds.

Prediction Time

I’ll take a win for Jasper Philipsen, he’s got to get a win in this race.