Itzulia Basque Country: Daniel Martínez wins stage four sprint finish

It was on a rather unexpected scenario, but INEOS Grenadiers have struck towards the finale of Itzulia Basque Country as Daniel Martínez surprised to take the win in the fourth stage of the Spanish stage-race.

With a possible breakaway win in mind of many early on today, a strong group attacked early on and worked well enough together to extend their gap over the peloton. 14 riders were in front, and in the steep ascent with 39 kilometers to go, the group split as Victor Lafay, Geraint Thomas, Ruben Guerreiro and Bruno Armirail took the head of the race.

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The group grew in the run-up to the final climb, however there Victor Lafay attacked early on and got a gap over the remainder of the group and took off solo with 24 kilometers to go. In the peloton there was an active chase all day long, specially in the run-up to the ascents. In the final one, Pierre Latour, Julian Alaphilippe and Daniel Martínez all attacked but Jumbo-Visma blocked off all attacks as expected and a relatively big group went over the top in chase of the Frenchman.

Quick-Step and UAE Team Emirates put on a chase, and ended up catching Lafay inside the final kilometer as Evenepoel led-out Alaphilippe for the third consecutive day. The World champion wasn't able to capitalize though, as Martínez made an early dash for the line which proved perfect as he took the win in the sprint.

It was a very tight finale, with Julian Alaphilippe coming in just a few centimetres behind, and Diego Ulissi in third also very closeby alongside race leader Primoz Roglic.