Primoz Roglic (Team LottoNL-Jumbo) won today’s fourth stage individual time trial at the Vuelta al Pais Vasco and also took over the leader’s jersey.

The Slovenian rider completed the 19.4-kilometre test at Lodosa in a time of 22’26” at an average speed of 51.89km/h beating Patrick Bevin (BMC Racing Team) by 9″ with 2015 World Time Trial Champion Vasil Kiryienka (Team Sky) in third at 11″. Previous race leader Julian Alaphilippe (Quick-Step Floors) finished in 8th position, 42″ behind Roglic.

Roglic now leads the race by 34″ from Alaphilippe with Bauke Mollema (Trek – Segafredo) in third position at 1’33”.

The riders face three categorised climbs on tomorrow’s 164.7-kilometre fifth stage from Vitoria to Eibar with the final Category One climb less than 20 kilometres before the finish.

“I knew that all eyes were on me as a pursuer in the GC and as time trial specialist,” said Roglic. “That provided extra pressure. It was a flat time trial, but there was a lot of wind. At the finish I saw that I had the fastest time, which made me very happy of course.”

“But we should not get ahead of ourselves. At the beginning of the course I already said that I want to take it one day at a time. It’s not going to be easy, but I’m really looking forward to the last stages.”

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