Ireland's Nicolas Roche lets rip with a strong attack on the final climb in China; the field splitting and Roche dishing it out on the front.
Nicolas Roche up to 3rd at Tour of Guangxi
Ireland's Nicolas Roche has put in a very strong climbing burst at the end of the Tour of Guangxi in China.
The BMC Racing man attacked off the front at the WorldTour race and was among a group of the strongest riders who ripped the race apart.
In the end Tim Wellens (Lotto-Soudal) took the victory from Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo). But Roche was just four seconds back in 3rd place.
Having been the first to light it up on the climb, Roche looked really strong. But Wellens put in an explosive burst at the finish that carried him over the line first.
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Julian Alaphilippe (Quick-Step) was 4th, two seconds back with Roche's team mate Ben Hermans (BMC Racing).
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The result means Wellens takes the race leader's jersey from Fernando Gaviria (QuickStep) after he won the opening three stages in bunch sprints.
Mollema is 2nd overall an four seconds and Roche is 3rd, some nine seconds due to the time bonuses today.
More to follow.
Stage 4: Nanning-Mashan Nongla (151km)
1 Tim Wellens (Bel) Lotto Soudal 3:23:18
2 Bauke Mollema (Ned) Trek-Segafredo
3 Nicolas Roche (Irl) BMC Racing Team 0:00:04
4 Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Quick-Step Floors 0:00:06
5 Ben Hermans (Bel) BMC Racing Team
6 Wout Poels (Ned) Team Sky 0:00:12
7 Matej Mohoric (Slo) UAE Team Emirates
8 Rein Taaramäe (Est) Katusha-Alpecin 0:00:17
9 Mekseb Debesay (Eri) Dimension Data 0:00:20
10 Rémy Cavagna (Fra) Quick-Step Floors 0:00:22
General Classification
1 Tim Wellens (Bel) Lotto Soudal 12:09:00
2 Bauke Mollema (Ned) Trek-Segafredo 0:00:04
3 Nicolas Roche (Irl) BMC Racing Team 0:00:09
4 Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Quick-Step Floors 0:00:13
5 Ben Hermans (Bel) BMC Racing Team 0:00:16
6 Matej Mohoric (Slo) UAE Team Emirates 0:00:22
7 Wout Poels (Ned) Team Sky
8 Silvan Dillier (Swi) BMC Racing Team 0:00:27
9 Rein Taaramäe (Est) Katusha-Alpecin
10 Rémy Cavagna (Fra) Quick-Step Floors 0:00:29
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