Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team rider Tony Martin remains in the race lead after the 164.3km 4th Stage of Tour of Belgium on Saturday. A seven rider breakaway — with no OPQS riders — was able to stay away going into the final kilometer of the stage, but a lack of cooperation within the break and a hard day of chasing for OPQS dropped the break from more than a minute, to just seconds inside the final kilometer.
Maxim Iglinskiy (Astana) watched as his break mates attacked each other relentlessly and the gap dropped. He finally launched his own attack at 1km, and was able to stay away from a sprinting peloton by just meters to win the stage solo.
Andre Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) was 2nd, and Philippe Gilbert (BMC Racing Team) was 3rd. OPQS, after putting all riders on the front all day, did not contest the final sprint.
OPQS looks next to a 175.6km final stage on Sunday.
"My teammates really had to work hard," Martin said after keeping the red jersey. "There was a break in front of seven guys and we really had to work hard to get them back. I really have to thank the team. They did incredible work today. The final was harder than I expected. We had three small climbs in the final lap, and with having to bring the small group back the team was really at the limit. Tomorrow will be tough again, as teams will try to go on the attack in the final stage. But we will do our best just like we did today."
