Tadej Pogacar wins the fourth stage of the Paris-Nice from Saint-Amand-Montrond to La Loge des Gardes of 164.7km. The Slovenian wins the first duel of the season with his rival Vingegaard and precedes Gaudu, second, and Mader (third).

Seven riders try the attack from a distance: Larry Warbasse (AG2R Citroen), Pascal Eenkhoorn (Lotto Dstny), Maurice Ballerstedt (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Lilian Calmejane (Intermarché Circus Wanty), Hugo Houle (Israel Premier Tech), Anders Skaarseth and Jonas Gregaard (Uno X Pro Cycling Team). The attackers manage to have up to 5 minutes ahead of the main group.

The attack ends with 14 km to go, when the big names in the general classification put their men in front to prepare for the final climb, La Loge des Gardes.  

4 km from the conclusion Vingegaard tries the draw and Pogacar takes him; the two, however, do not continue and 3.5 km from the finish line Gaudu takes off and takes about 15” ahead of the others

Then Pogacar extends, Vingegaard tries to keep up the pace, but is forced to give up and the Slovenian catches up on Gaudu.  

In the two-man sprint, Pogacar leaves no way out for Gaudu, while Gino Mader returns to Vingegaard and finishes in third place, with the Dane finishing sixth.

Tadej Pogacar is the new leader of the general classification.

ARRIVAL ORDER:

1 POGAČAR Tadej UAE Team Emirates

2 GAUDU David Groupama - FDJ 0:01

3 MADER Gino Bahrain - Victorious 0:34

4 PARET-PEINTRE Aurélien AG2R Citroën Team 0:42

5 VAUQUELIN Kévin Team Arkéa Samsic 0:43

6 VINGEGAARD Jonas Jumbo-Visma ,,

7 BARDET Romain Team DSM 0:51

8 MARTÍNEZ Daniel Felipe INEOS Grenadiers ,,

9 YATES Simon Team Jayco AlUla,,

10 JORGENSON Matteo Movistar Team ,,

GENERAL RANKING:

1 POGAČAR Tade UAE Team Emirates

2 GAUDU David Groupama - FDJ 0:10

3 VINGEGAARD Jonas Jumbo-Visma 0:44

4 YATES Simon Team Jayco AlUla 0:56

5 MADER Gino Bahrain - Victorious 1:19

6 BARDET Romain Team DSM 1:40

7 MARTÍNEZ Daniel Felipe INEOS Grenadiers ,,

8 JORGENSON Matteo Movistar Team 1:42

9 POWLESS Neilson EF Education-EasyPost 1:44

10 SOBRERO Matteo Team Jayco AlUla 1:54

Photo: Sprint Cycling Agency