Tirreno-Adriatico 2022 - Tadej Pogacar powers to victory on Stage 4 to take leader's jersey

Updated 10/03/2022 at 21:29 GMT

Tadej Pogacar proved in a class of his own as he took over the leader's jersey at Tirreno-Adriatico after victory on Stage 4. Having attacked earlier in the day, he had the legs to go again on the final climb into Bellante and powered away from the chasing pack. He now heads the race from Remco Evenepoel.

'Finishes it like a hero!' - Pogacar powers away to take Stage 4

Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) seized control of the 2022 Tirreno-Adriatico as he powered away on the final climb to take victory on Stage 4.

Pogacar has shown his strength and courage on regular occasions already this season, and for the second day in a row he went on the attack.

This time he took Remco Evenepoel (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team), Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) and Jai Hindley (Bora–Hansgrohe) with him. The break did not succeed, as they were hauled back by the main group with a little over 30kms to run.

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Despite being hauled in, the two-time Tour de France winner had the strength at the finish of the final climb to go again.

He marked a series of attacks with ridiculous ease before jumping out of the saddle and scorching clear on the run into Bellante and taking the leader's jersey from Ganna.

He has been imperious in stage races for a couple of years, and looks set to be the man to beat in the Grand Tours once again in 2022.

'We did everything right!' - Pogacar hails work of team-mates after Stage 4 win

"A great effort of the team, we pulled all day, and I was thinking that if I did not give it a go it would be a bad day for us," Pogacar said on Eurosport. "We did it right and in the end it was a good day for the victory."

Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) gave chase and came home two seconds adrift in second to move into GC contention, while Victor Lafay and Evenepoel came home in the same time in third and fourth respectively.

While it was all about Pogacar at the end of the stage, Quinn Simmons (Trek–Segafredo) lit it up as he was out on his own for some time, but was absorbed as the pace picked up in the final 20 kms.

Tirreno-Adriatico Stage 4 highlights - Peerless Pogacar does it again

Valentin Ferron (TotalEnergies) went for a long bid for glory, but was allowed to hang off the front until being absorbed on the final climb, after which it became all about Pogacar.

Richard Carapaz (Ineos Grenadiers) was the big loser on the day as he was distanced on the final climb and his team may now shuffle their deck in favour of Tao Geoghegan Hart.

Stage 4 - Cascata Delle Marmore to Bellante