ProTeam Arnaud De Lie sprints to fourth place in Almeria

The 39th Clasica de Almeria promised to be a sprint party. Six riders choose the breakaway, after the start in Puebla de Vicar. The riders also had to take on some climbs, with the Alto de Celín (7.1 km at 4.6%), the Alto de La Alqueria (1.5 km at 6.7%) and the Alto de Fuente Marbella (1.5 km at 7.1%) in the first 100 kilometers.

The lead of the breakaway grew to 5 minutes, but with 15 kilometers to go their song was over, also thanks to the good work of Lotto Dstny at the front of the peloton. A bunch sprint was written in the stars. The nervous sprint caused a crash, which made the organisation difficult, Arnaud De Lie was also a bit far.

Meanwhile, Wout Van Aert had done the leadout for Olav Kooij, who won. De Lie was able to return well and finished fourth: "My team did a lot of work all day. But it was a hectic sprint. I am happy with this fourth place, it is my first bunch sprint of the season and I felt good again after yesterday where I wasn't feeling great."

Picture: Brecht Steenhouwer