Volta a Catalunya 2014 - Stage 4

The fourth stage of the 2014 Volta a Catalunya was a remarkable one, freezing temperatures met the peloton, along with snow on the top of the second summit finish of the race. The stage was from Alp to Vallter 2000, and was 166.4 kilometres long. Television coverage was down for the day, as the snow and rain meant that the helicopters could not fly for the day.

Despite this, an entertaining stage was playing out beneath the weather. A four man break managed to get away, which was brave considering the conditions. Stef Clement (Belkin) was joined by Thomas De Gendt (Omega Pharma-Quickstep), Maxime Mederel (Europcar) and Ruben Plaza of Movistar Team. They managed to make it to the bottom of Vallter 2000 together, before the peloton started upping the pace.

Although the television cameras weren't seeing anything, it was widely reported that Sky Procycling's David Lopez was putting the hurt into the leading group, which was rapidly decreasing under the impetus of Lopez. Warren Barguil (Giant-Shimano) was the man next to try his hand at attacking with six kilometres to go, and for a few moments it seemed as if the young Frenchman might take a historic win.

It wasn't to be however, as he weakened as he went up the climb. Christopher Froome then tried an attack, attempting to distance his rivals as they did to him the day before. However, Alberto Contador had all the answers, and after keeping in touch, he then passed the Briton. However, then another duo went clear - Tejay van Garderen and Romain Bardet.

Van Garderen managed to go on to win the stage ahead of the Frenchman, taking his first win in a WorldTour race. Three seconds behind the duo was Alberto Contador, and then a second behind him was race leader Joaquim Rodriguez. Chris Froome finished seventh, eight seconds down on Tejay van Garderen. Joaquim Rodriguez was still the race leader at the summit, meaning the race was his to lose as the race headed towards Barcelona.