GB’s Vernon wins shortened Volta stage with Pidcock third

Britain’s Ethan Vernon won a sprint finish on a shortened stage four of the Volta a Catalunya.

The 25-year-old NSN Cycling Team rider surged to the front on the run-in to the line in Camprodon and comfortably held off France’s Dorian Godon, with fellow Briton Tom Pidcock in third.

Ineos Grenadiers’ Godon retains the overall lead, 13 seconds clear of Pidcock who has moved into second place, with Remco Evenepoel a further second back and two-time Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard 24 seconds adrift.

“This is a special race for me, I had my first pro win here and our sponsor is also based here,” said Vernon.

“The change [in the route] calmed everything down, we knew last night and made the plan to come out of the last roundabout in first place and then go for it.”

Had the first of three Pyrenees stages concluded at the Vallter ski station as planned, it would likely have favoured the likes of Vingegaard and former Vuelta a Espana champion Evenepoel.

1. Ethan Vernon (GB/NSN Cycling) 4hrs 01mins 03secs

2. Dorian Godon (Fra/Ineos Grenadiers) Same time

3. Tom Pidcock (GB/Pinarello – Q36.5 Pro Cycling)

4. Brandon McNulty (US/UAE Team Emirates)

5. Magnus Cort (Den/Uno-X Mobility)

6. David Gonzalez (Spa/Pinarello – Q36.5 Pro Cycling)

7. Mathieu Kockelmann (Lux/Lotto Intermarche)

8. Alberto Dainese (Ita/Soudal Quick-Step)

9. Noah Hobbs (GB/EF Education – EasyPost)

1. Dorian Godon (Fra/Ineos Grenadiers) 15hrs 30mins 47secs

2. Tom Pidcock (GB/Pinarello – Q36.5 Pro Cycling) +13 secs

3. . Remco Evenepoel (Bel/Red Bull – Bora Hansgrohe) +14secs

4. Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Visma – Lease a Bike) +24secs

5. Andrea Raccagni (Ita/ Soudal Quick-Step) +25secs

6. Brandon McNulty (US/UAE Team Emirates) Same time

7. Rudy Molard (Fra/Groupama – FDJ United) +26secs

8. Antoine L’Hote (Fra/Decathlon CMA CGM Team) Same time

9. Ben O’Connor (Aus/Team Jayco AlUla) “