Tour of the Alps (Italy, Austria) - Press Release: It was the most anticipated stage of this Tour of the Alps since the very first announcement of the route, and the fourth stage of the Euro-regional stage race, 168.6 km from Naturns/Naturno (South Tyrol) to Valle del Chiese/Pieve di Bono (Trentino) did not betray any expectation. Boniprati’s unprecedented ascent and descent may have issued the final rulings on the overall success, with Simon Yates’ hold on the green jersey looking even more solid after the stage, but there was much more than that.

There was the stage victory of Pello Bilbao (Bahrain-Victorious), who offered his moving dedication to a friend, Michele Scarponi, who left us four years ago. There was the challenge of the contenders for the next Giro d’Italia, which reaffirmed that Yates is perhaps the man to beat in view of the pink race. There was also the pride of a great champion like Chris Froome (Israel Start-up Nation), who on the day with the greatest elevation gain of the whole race (3880 meters) launched himself in the breakaway, started on the ramps of Hofmahdjoch/Passo Castrin, the highest peak of this Tour of the Alps.