PREVIEW | Tour de Romandie 2023 stage 4 - Queen stage to decide GC, Juan Ayuso faces tough competition

Preview. Stage 4 of the Tour de Romandie is the queen stage. High in the Alps the riders will tackle a brutal stage and an incredibly difficult summit finish which should decide the outcome of the overall classification.

Whilst specific details are yet to be given, stage four of the race will be the queen stage. It is a classic aswell at the Swiss race, as the riders tackle the Rhône valley's many ascents, in a stage that culminates on the Thyon 2000 climb, where big gaps are expected. There is a total of over 4300 meters of climbing, and unlike last year the gaps will be made outside of the time-trials - on a day like this there is no hiding.

Estimated start and finish times for Tour de Romandie stage 4: 10:55 - 15:50CET

There is a 2-kilometer climb at over 7% near the start where the breakaway will likely get away. It needs to be a group of strong climbers if there is any ambition of surviving, as the riders will take on three long and difficult climbs within the Rhône valley. The first of which is Anzère, 14.6 kilometers at 7% that end with 117 kilometers to go. Another small ascent quickly follows, but the riders will then prepare for the second main climb.

Suen is another difficult challenge. Officially it's 14Km at 6.6% however the details of the climb hide an uglier truth, which is that it's last three kilometers are almost flat. Most of the ascent is in fact at a constant 8% and sees many hairpins. This one will end with 43 kilometers to go, however the difficulties that are still to come mean most will try to approach it conservatively.

The descent is split into two, however riders will be fighting for positioning into the second one, as it is quite technical and directly leads into the base of the final ascent. The riders have no time to calm down and prepare for Thyon 2000 in the valley, they immediately start climbing up it. However threats of an attack at the base aren't high as it's an effort of over 50 minutes.

The climb in total is 20.9 kilometers at 7.9% and is rather constant, the first half being mostly between 5 and 7%, but the second half featuring three tiny flat sections. The gradients will be higher however overall, exceeding 10% in some sections. The ascent goes all the way into 2090 meters of altitude, it's a proper high-mountain challenge and the gaps created at it's summit could prove decisive for the outcome of the race.

The riders should avoid the rain once again, and the wind also won't be taking much effect. Temperatures won't be high however, the descents can be quite dangerous as wet spots in the corners are likely and all are very technical.

UAE - Juan Ayuso is now in the lead of the race. It's a strong start to the season after a very long injury and he's immediately in the right place. He's talked of fatigue and I do believe his form is not at it's best, however I wouldn't be surprised if he can defend it - I certainly believe he's close to taking the step to join the likes of Evenepoel and Pogacar when it comes to climbing prowess. However UAE rarely race with a set leader when Pogacar is not around, and with Adam Yates sitting third it's likely that he'll be given freedom. It's UAE's race to lose I reckon.

Matteo Jorgenson - The American has been racing stupendously this spring. There's no doubt he can climb at a very high level, but he is a heavier rider than most around him and I think he'll have a hard time. With this said for sure he can hold on to a podium, I think it's both realistic and already a terrific result if he would achieve it.

Groupama - FDJ - How well could Thibaut Pinot do? He's looking sharp, the GC now seems to be impossible to win but that wasn't likely his goal. The more explosive climbs would suit him better but he's a card, whilst the brutal ascent may favour Lenny Martínez more.

Romain Bardet - Sitting over 1 minute behind Ayuso after the time-trials puts Bardet in a complicated position, where aiming for a first World Tour stage-race win is almost unattainable. However a stage win is possible, he should deal well with this kind of day and will be in search of a win.

Bahrain - Gino Mäder was on the attack in the hilly day, providing good signs. He sits 12th in the overall classification and Damiano Caruso sits 6th, both have the opportunity to ride into a podium position and won't have the pressure to put on the chasing. Additionally, their number may help with tactical moves - although this is a final climb where tactics won't honestly matter much.

Some outsiders will also be looking for a result. Out of those who can ambition a stage win I'd only put Michael Woods, although I am aware the shorter ascents would be better for him. The likes of Cian Uijtdebroeks, Simon Carr and Geoffrey Bouchard could be interesting outsiders, having shown impressive climbing prowess over these last months. Egan Bernal will be interesting to keep an eye on having finished 36th today and featuring in the GC fight - I wouldn't put him as a contender but the day suits him well and it will be good to see how well he does.

Tobias Foss at his best could also feature within the Top10 but I think it'll be a tough ask. There is room for surprises on this stage for climbers to show themselves in the World Tour. There are more experienced figures such as Louis Meintjes and Rein Taaramäe, young guns such as Oscar Onley, Max Poole and Harold Tejada and local climbers Yannis Voisard and Sebastien Reichenbach. Fausto Masnada, Kenny Elissonde and Thomas Gloag should also be in the mix.

*** Adam Yates, Romain Bardet
** Juan Ayuso, Matteo Jorgenson, Lenny Martínez
* Thibaut Pinot, Gino Mäder, Damiano Caruso, Cian Uijtdebroeks, Michael Woods

Pick: Adam Yates