Stefan Kung overpowered Michael Matthews to take stage four of the Digital Swiss 5 virtual race last night.
Stefan Kung won stage four of the Digital Swiss 5 virtual race last night. Photo: Live stream
Despite numerous attacks in the closing stages, Matthews (Team Sunweb) ultimately crossed the line seven seconds behind Kung (Groupama-FDJ).
Ethan Hayter (Team Ineos) finished third in the 36.8 race, which started in Oberlangenegg and finished in Langnau.
“It was another super hard virtual race. My tactic was to go out early and see if I could hold them off. It seemed like it was going to work, but at around 5km to go, Stefan was closing in,” said Matthews.
“I tried to keep the pressure on and tried some softening up attacks to see if I could crack him a little bit. Unfortunately he didn’t and he caught me with 2km to go. These time-trial guys just know the power they need to hold to the finish and know how to sustain it.
“My only option was to try something different and attack him when he came close. It was another really good race for the team with another podium today.”
Tonight’s stage will cover 36km, from Camperio to Disentis-Sedrun.
View more provisional results below:
Stage four results
| 1 | Stefan Kung | Groupama-FDJ | 0:46:03 |
| 2 | Michael Matthews | Team Sunweb | +0:00:07 |
| 3 | Ethan Hayter | Team Ineos | +0:00:44 |
| 4 | Greg van Avermaet | CCC Team | +0:00:58 |
| 5 | Michael Gogl | NTT Pro Cycling | +0:01:00 |
| 6 | Silvan Dillier | AG2R la Mondiale | +0:01:42 |
| 7 | Tobias Foss | Team Jumbo-Visma | +0:01:48 |
| 8 | Stephen Bassett | Rally Cycling | +0:01:55 |
| 9 | Tobias Ludvigsson | Groupama-FDJ | +0:01:57 |
| 10 | Nathan van Hooydonck | CCC Team | +0:02:00 |
