Ireland's Nicolas Roche digging deep for result at Tour of Britain

Nicolas Roche is working his way into the top 10 overall at the Tour of Britain, after climbing very well on the uphill finish of Great Orme at the end of yesterday's stage 4.

With the race now at its halfway point, Roche is 11th in the general classification. He is on the same time as 10th placed rider Xandro Meurisse (Alpecin-Fenix). Both are 1:38 down on yesterday's stage winner Wout van Aert.

The Jumbo Visma rider took his second stage win yesterday and when he distanced race leader Ethan Hayter (Ineos Grenadiers) on the climb, and took the time bonus, he claimed the leader's jersey back from the young British rider, who he now leads by two seconds.

Roche's Team DSM rode to ensure the Irishman and his team mate Mark Donovan were in the right place at the base of the 1.9km climb. After that it was every man for himself. Roche finished in 10th at 29 seconds and Donovan was 14th at 37 seconds.

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“Today was a solid day,” said Roche at the finish yesterday, as riders were sprawled out all around him such was the severity of the speed and gradient of the final climb.

“The team did a great job in protecting Mark and I all the way, putting us in position at the bottom of the last climb. The climb itself was brutal but we gave it everything and it was nice to get at top ten at the line.”

Team DSM coach Phil West said it was a “good effort” by
Roche and Donovan; adding the plan was to aid Donovan primarily but also ensure
Roche had a chance on the climb.

“The racing was quite controlled today and so it was all about being able to bring Mark into the bottom of the last climb in a forward position. At one moment the race was super active after a long and technical descent, but we were always present to cover any moves in those moments.

“Then after some great positioning work by the guys coming into the local lap, Mark was able to commit to the final climb from a good position. Unfortunately, he just ran out of legs in the final 800 metres but again it was a good day and another great team effort all round.”