Giro 2023: Paret-Peintre outsprints new maglia rosa Leknessund

foto: Cor VosAndreas Leknessund drops his fellow-attacker Aurélien Paret-Peintre on the last climb of the day, the Colle Molella. But the Frenchman makes it back and he wins the stage. Leknessund can take comfort in the maglia rosa. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 4th stage 2023 Giro

1. Aurélien Paret-Peintre (fra)
2. Andreas Leknessund (nor) + 0.02
3. Toms Skujins (lat) + 0.57
4. Vincenzo Albanese (ita) s.t.
5. Nicola Conci (ita) + 1.02
6. Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier (eri) + 1.07
7. Koen Bouwman (nld) + 2.01
8. Damiano Caruso (ita) s.t.
9. Eddie Dunbar (irl) s.t.
10. Aleksandr Vlasov (rus) s.t.

GC after stage 4
1. Andreas Leknessund (nor)
2. Remco Evenepoel (bel) + 0.28
3. Aurélien Paret-Peintre (fra) + 0.30
4. João Almeida (por) + 1.00
5. Primoz Roglic (slo) + 1.12
6. Geraint Thomas (gbr) + 1.26
7. Aleksandr Vlasov (rus) s.t.
8. Toms Skujins (lat) + 1.29
9. Tao Geoghegan Hart (gbr) + 1.30
10. Jay Vine (aus) + 1.36

Race report
In the Passo delle Crocelle descent, with roughly 100 kilometres to go, the breakaway takes shape. Warren Barguil, Vincenzo Albanese, Andreas Leknessund, Toms Skujins, Aurélien Paret-Peintre, Nicola Conci and Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier open up a lead of 6 minutes.

Leknessund pockets 3 bonus seconds in the intermediate sprint.

The lead of the six falls below 4 minutes in the Colle Molella. Conci jumps clear with 4 kilometres left to climb before Skujins rejoins him. He goes alone, but the others – except Barguil – bring him back.

Leknessund, Paret-Peintre and Ghebreigzabhier head out together in the last 2.5 kilometres of the climb. It is Leknessund who sets the pace and he drops the other two. For a moment, as Paret-Peintre comes clawing back to his wheel.

Leknessund keeps on pushing, as the pink jersey is up for grabs. Paret-Peintre takes the win and the Norwegian the maglia rosa. Evenepoel drops back to second place, 28 seconds behind.

Another interesting read: route 4th stage 2023 Giro.