Wallonie: No success for strong Stijn Devolder
The fourth stage in the Tour de Wallonie was titled as the queen stage of this race. The stage headed from Vietsalm to Villers-Le-Bouillet and covered 168 kilometres. On their way to the finish the riders had to go over climbs like the Stockeu and the Mur of Huy. A four man breakaway dominated the first part of the stage. Team Quick Step and some other teams worked hard to close the gap with the escapees, which succeeded with 40 kilometres to go.
In the hilly final part of the race an impressive strong Stijn Devolder showed his good legs several times, but every time the peloton reacted quickly and reeled him in. A group of 6 riders had more luck with 35 kilometres to go. Bakelants, Vantomme, Marcato, Mangel, Mollema and Codol took a 45 seconds advantage quickly. The chase group tried to close the gap, with Stijn Devolder working hard too. Despite their efforts the escape group made it till the line, where Mangel took the stage win. Devolder came in as 42nd, 23 seconds behind stage winner Mangel.
Result stage 4
1. Laurent Mangel (Fra)
2. Marco Marcato (Ita)
3. Maxime Vantomme (Bel)
42. Stijn Devolder (Bel) 0.23
53. Matteo Tosatto (Ita) 1.47
73. Wouter Weylandt (Bel) 13.07
90. Kevin Hulsmans (Bel)
93. Kevin van Impe (Bel)
100. Andreas Stauff (Ger)
102. Addy Engels (Ned)
Overall after stage 4
1. Laurent Mangel (Fra)
2. Marco Marcato (Ita) 0.01
3. Maxime Vantomme (Bel) 0.06
38. Stijn Devolder (Bel) 0.33
46. Matteo Tosatto (Ita) 1.57
70. Wouter Weylandt (Bel) 13.09
78. Kevin van Impe (Bel) 13.17
80. Andreas Stauff (Ger) 13.37
89. Kevin Hulsmans (Bel) 17.29
99. Addy Engels (Ned) 22.13