Sport

Moreno claims home success on stage four of Vuelta

Nibali goes back to top of GC with Roche still in third spot

Astana’s Vincenzo Nibali is back in the lead at the Vuelta after stage four. Photograph: Miguel Vidal/Reuters
Astana’s Vincenzo Nibali is back in the lead at the Vuelta after stage four. Photograph: Miguel Vidal/Reuters
Tue Aug 27 2013 - 19:05

Dani Moreno claimed victory on stage four of the Vuelta a Espana after mounting a late charge, while Vincenzo Nibali regained the lead at the top of the general classification.

Spaniard Moreno, who finished second on Sunday, made his attack with less than a kilometre to go on the finishing climb of the 189km stage from Lalin to Fisterra and overhauled Juan Antonio Flecha to take the victory and earn the second Vuelta stage win of his career.

Fabian Cancellara and the rest of the chasing pack tried to haul Katusha's Moreno back in but the 31-year-old had timed his move to perfection to finish in a time of four hours, 37 minutes and 47 seconds.

Swiss ace Cancellara (RadioShack Leopard) had to settle for second place, with Michael Matthews (Orica-GreenEdge) third, Gianni Meersman (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) fourth and Bauke Mollema (Belkin Pro Cycling Team) completing the top five.

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All of the top 21 riders were awarded the same time, including Italian Nibali (Astana) who regained the red jersey after finishing in the first chasing group while previous leader Chris Horner of RadioShack Leopard was in the second group, six seconds back.

Nibali, the 2010 Vuelta winner and 2013 Giro d'Italia champion, now boasts a three-second lead over Horner with Ireland's Nicolas Roche, riding for Team Saxo-Tinkoff, in third spot, a further five seconds back after finishing 10th on the stage.

Dan Martin moved up to 31st position and is one minute and 47 seconds behind Nibali after coming home in the main bunch.