On the route through the goodness of Burgos, the fourth stage put the magnifying glass on this treasure in the form of a sea of vineyards, green and alienated that provide the raw material for the delicacies of the Ribera de Duero, delicacies that fill glasses halfway around the world and pair with the best meals.
After Remco Evenepoel's victory in Picón Blanco, the day that sports took over the space that had been stolen by health, cycling put its feet back on the ground with one of those stages that chisel the character of the Vuelta a Burgos: a heat that flattens and ocher colors to dress a landscape where water does not seem to run these days of July.
"The day has shown us how much this area has to offer, from winery to winery with a landscape dedicated to wine, but we should not forget that the attraction of Roa de Duero is in the Roman settlement" says Gino Dona from the finish line.
A stage that, as two days ago, had been marked in red for the extensive list of sprinters who have participated in the first race of the cycling rebirth. And Sam Bennett, the champion with the cloverleaf on his chest, companion of the leader Remco, and lucky at the exit of that curve where the arch marked the last kilometer, did not miss the appointment. He came out when others fell and held on to the finish line in an agonizing effort.
An effort in a "very beautiful finish, with the climb in the final kilometer and the complications that we could see. The winner arrived broken at the finish".
An effort, that of Bennett, that was made with everyone looking at the "little guy" who was in purple with the idea of reaching the end like that: "People are excited with Remco and cover in Marca, cycling cover in Marca, that does not happen every day. Everyone talking about him, Gobik he's on that boat. We are very happy.
And now a prediction: "I think that in the last stage there will be no other option to unseat Remco, I think he will win the Vuelta a Burgos. He's the one with the most fuel by far, if he's been the best on a harder climb than Neila, I don't think he's going to lose the lead".
Now all that remains is the quintessential stage of the Vuelta a Burgos: Neila and its lagoons, where the purple that distinguishes the leader is eternal.
Text: JoanSeguidor's notebook
Photos: Photo Gomez Sport
