Tour of Britain Men: Cees Bol scores decisive sprint win on stage 4 while breakaway partner Tim Wellens takes GC lead

The queen stage of this year’s Tour of Britain saw the peloton remain in Yorkshire, racing 165.8km from Helmsley to Leyburn in the Yorkshire Dales. Climbing 2,169 metres, the route contained three classified climbs, two first-category and one second, and with the final two kilometres almost all uphill, with short gradients into double figures, a bunch sprint was not guaranteed.

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It was an aggressive start to the day, with riders from the five WorldTour teams in the race particularly active in trying to form a breakaway. Finally, with almost 20km done, six riders escaped, former British champion Ben Swift (Netcompany-Ineos) with Cees Bol (Decathlon-CMA CGM), Xandro Meurisse (Pinarello-Q36.5), Ian López (Modern Adventure), Brem Deman (Flanders-Baloise) and Boas Lysgaard (BHS-PL Baton Bornholm) quickly building a lead over the bunch approaching two minutes.

Cees Bol (Decathlon CMA CGM Team) rides behind Ben Swift (Netcompany Ineos)and Brem Deman (Flanders – Baloise) in the early breakaway (Image credit: Getty Images)

With the gap out to five minutes on the climb of Greenhow, the UAE Team Emirates-XRG team of Tim Wellens, who started the day in second place overall, upped the pace, hoping to trouble race leader Lewis Askey (NSN).

Despite their efforts, Askey survived, though behind him the peloton split and the breakaway’s advantage reduced to 3:13 as they crested the climb, with 96km remaining. While the peloton re-formed, UAE stayed on the front, gradually reducing the peloton’s deficit to 1:10 as the base of the day’s final classified climb at Redmire was reached.

With an average gradient of 8.1% over its 3.5 kilometres, the climb was sure to take its toll and not only did the peloton explode, but Askey began to slip backwards, UAE still applying pressure. With Askey drifting further back, Wellens made his move, the former Belgian champion reaching solo leader Meurisse just before the top of the climb.

Bol and Wellens head off at the front of the race (Image credit: Zac Williams/SWpix.com)

Over the top Wellens was with Bol, the two riders almost 50 seconds ahead of Askey’s group, as they took on the long descent into Wensleydale before the final run to the line. Despite having two teammates to support him through the final 40k, Askey’s deficit slipped to a maximum of 1:20, even though Bol initially refused to lend the Belgian a hand.

Askey, on the other hand, had help, riders from Netcompnay-Ineos, Tudor Pro Cycling and Pinarello-Q36.5 all riding on the front and bringing the deficit to within one minute with 19km left.

Though the gap remained around the minute mark with 10km to go Wellens was rocking and rolling on his bike, the effort beginning to show, however, he and Bol managed to stay ahead to fight for the stage win.