Liepiņš finishes 117th on stage four of multi-day cycling race in China
Latvian cyclist Liepiņš placed 117th among 144 finishers on stage four of a six-stage race in China, more than 11 minutes behind. Frenchman Paul Magnier won the stage and took the overall lead.
Latvian cyclist Liepiņš, riding for Pinarello Q36,5, finished 117th among 144 riders on the fourth stage of a six-stage race in China, 11 minutes and 23 seconds behind the main group. After four stages he is 114th in the overall standings. Frenchman Paul Magnier won the stage and also moved into first place overall.
The stage
Riders covered 165.7 kilometres on the fourth stage. The route included two second-category and two third-category climbs, as well as two intermediate sprints. The winner was decided in a sprint finish by a large group. Paul Magnier of Soudal Quick-Step took first place, Dutch rider Kees Bol of Decathlon CMA CGM was second, and German Max Kanter of XDS Astana was third.
The large group contained 72 riders and reached the finish in three hours, 41 minutes and 55 seconds. Liepiņš was not part of it and lost 11 minutes and 23 seconds.
Overall standings
After four stages Magnier has climbed from second to first place overall. Dutch rider Fritz Biesterbos of Picnic PostNL trails him by ten seconds, while Kanter is third, 16 seconds behind the leader. Liepiņš is 11 minutes and 49 seconds behind the overall leader.
The race ends on Sunday.
