Off the back of Friday’s individual time trial win, Derek Gee moved a step closer to claiming the first GC victory of his career as he asserted his control on O Gran Camiño with an impressive climbing performance in Saturday’s fourth stage.
After his IPT teammates whittled down the peloton, Gee attacked on the Alto a Pitinidoira – the day’s third climb – with 17 kilometers of the stage remaining.
Before long, only Sergio Geovani Chumil (Burgos Burpellet BH) was able to follow the Canadian, although Gee’s breakaway companion was content to sit in the race leader’s wheel.
Despite Gee’s attempts to drop Chumil on the category 3 Alto do Cebreiro climb that led to the finish line at Pedrafita do Cebreiro, the Guatemalan rider managed to pip him to the victory.
“It was great – the boys were amazing, I was really hoping to pull off the stage win for all the hard work they did,” says Gee. “I just couldn’t quite go solo on the climbs, but I can’t thank them enough.”
Gee extended his GC advantage from five seconds to 37, although Sunday’s final stage features three gravel sectors that will be raced over twice in the closing 75 kilometers.
He adds: “I mean, I’m glad I gained some extra seconds before the gravel, because it’s unpredictable. It can go very well, it can go poorly. But I feel good, and I’m confident that with the team we have here we can bring it home.”
