Results Czech Tour 2026 Stage 4 - Alessandro Fancellu denies Andrew August third win in a row as INEOS rider seals general classification
CyclingSunday, 16 August 2026 at 14:20
Alessandro Fancellu has won the fourth and final stage of the 2026 Czech Tour on Sunday ahead of Andrew August and Nicolas Breuillard. In the general classification, August brought an 11 second lead into the final day, and stayed with the rest to seal his yellow jersey ahead of Fancellu in second and veteran Domenico Pozzevivo in third.
Sunday's final stage ensured both the day's honours and general classification remained in play with a route of 161 kilometers taking riders from Kromeriz to Pustevny. A 7.9 kilometer climb to the finish formed the day's major hurdle - with an average gradient of 6.7 percent.
The day settled into its rhythm early as Geoffrey Bocuhard was the big name among three attackers to form a breakaway less than 10 kilometers into the stage that also included Michal Schuran and Mats Wenzel. The trio were joined by Jakub Otruba and Fabrizio Crozzolo shortly after as the five riders set the day's pace.
Netcompany INEOS controlled the gap for August as it became clear the day's big climb would decide all. With 12 kilometers to go and the climbing to begin, their gap stood at just 40 seconds before the main event.
INEOS control gap as final climb set to decide race
With much of the general classification skirmishes confined to the final stages in recent days, the pace was high as the podium contenders sized up their chances on the climb. The breakaway soon split at the foot of the climb as Schuran dropped after securing the KOM jersey during the stage, while Wenzel and Bouchard tried to shake off the rest and keep the peloton at bay.
Bouchard soon left Wenzel behind as the duo remained out on front with six kilometers to go as INEOS contested Soudal Quick-step and Red Bull for control of the front of the reduced bunch. NSN soon drove the front to reel in Wenzel as Bouchard boasted a modest 10 seconds lead.
With the peloton rapidly shrinking, Bouchard's last stand was ended with 4 kilometers to go and the steepest slopes of the forest-surrounded climb to go. Stage 1 winner Riley Sheehan hit the front soon after as only around 15 riders remained at the front as Jack Haig policed matters at the front with Marco Frigo also high up for NSN's Jan Hirt ambitions.
Haig's high pace seemed to be fending off attacks as August rode towards the overall win as they passed the flamme rouge, marking just one kilometer to go. Haig swung off soon after as Embret Svestad-Bårdseng led out the leaders.
Alessandro Fancellu jumped out for an early sprint which almost ended in disaster as he accidentally unclipped from his pedal. August soon surged but the MBH Bank rider regained his momentum and was able to hold off the INEOS leader and seal his first-ever professional win.
Results Czech Tour 2026 Stage 4
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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