The final climb of Tirreno-Adriatico stage 4, a 252-km race from Amelia to Chieti, was a brutal one. The climb had ramps of 18 and 19 percent, and the peloton shattered as a result.
Even at the front of the field, only four riders were able to ascend the climb at the speed of an attacking Peter Sagan (LIQ), who eventually won the stage. Peter Velits hoped to be one of them, but it was a finish not suited for him on Saturday.
"I did everything I could, but it was just not enough," Peter Velits said. "The team helped me keep position in the final climb, which was important. But when we hit the steep part I didn't have the legs to stay with the best ones. I gave it everything, but it was just not enough. It was a final for guys like Sagan and Di Luca. I hope tomorrow I will be better, it will be a completely different day."
Sagan eventually sprinted to victory after sitting on his teammate Vincenzo Nibali's wheel. Roman Kreuziger (AST) was second on the stage, and Nibali 3rd. Velits finished 25th on the stage, but only 30 seconds back from Sagan. He is now 26th in general classification, 1'06" back from current GC leader Chris Horner (RNT).
Dario Cataldo crashed with 8km to go, but was able to return to the race without a problem. The team was at the front chasing down breaks throughout the day.