Simmons continues the attackers’ festival
June 10 th 2026 - 17:14
Breakaway riders rule the early stages of the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes! After Alex Baudin in Saint-Ismier and Anthon Charmig in Le Puy-en-Velay, Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) powered to victory in a thrilling stage 4 from Le Puy-en-Velay to Montrond-les-Bains (167.4 km). The only success that escaped attackers was in the team time trial, with Matteo Jorgenson and Visma-Lease a Bike ruling in Perreux yesterday. This time, baroudeurs united to escape the peloton after a hard battle and resist the sprinters in a very tight finale. The gap never went over 2 minutes. But that was enough for the US national champion and nine companions to make it to the line. Simmons proved to be the fastest on the line, claiming victory ahead of Finn Fisher-Black (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) and Matteo Vercher (Total Energies). Only four seconds behind, Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) dominated the sprint from the bunch.
Another day for the attackers? Or can some teams control the first two thirds of stage 4 and battle it out in Montrond-les-Bains? The road rises early and most of today’s elevation gain (2,250 metres) is packed in the middle section of the course with a sequence of five categorised climbs to be faced in quick succession. A 145-man peloton tackle these challenges as Ivo Oliveira doesn’t start. UAE Team Emirates-XRG report their Portuguese rider “was feeling unwell overnight”.
77 kilometres to make the break
The terrain inspires attackers, who battle through headwinds to try and make the break of the day. The early ascent to Col de la Croix de l’Arbre (km 14.6) isn’t enough to get away, despite many ascents. Marco Frigo (NSN) goes first at the summit. And he’s rapidly reeled in afterwards. Attacks keep flying but the pack is bunched as Nadav Raisberg (NSN) wins the intermediate sprint in Arlanc (km 52.6), in line with his performance on days 1 and 2.
The decisive move is launched after 60 kilometres of battle as Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek), Andreas Kron (Uno-X Mobility) and Jordan Jegat (TotalEnergies) set off on the on the Côte du Temple.
Counter-attackers break away from the peloton in several waves and catch up to the lead trio just before the summit of the Côte de Chougoirand (km 77.9), making it a 12-man group with Finn Fisher-Black (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Pablo Castrillo, Raul Garcia Pierna (Movistar), Matteo Vercher (TotalEnergies), Jan Castellon (Caja Rural), George Bennett, Marco Frigo (NSN), Lars Craps (Lotto Intermarché) and Samuel Watson (Nertcompany Ineos).
Not much of a margin for the attackers
A maximum gap of two minutes is recorded before the climb up the Col des Limites (km 92.4). Jan Castellon gets in contention for the polka-dot jersey as he collects KOM points at Côte de Chougoirand, Col des Limites, as well as Côte de Lérigneux (km 104.7), and Côte de Roche-en-Forez (km 109.6)
However, the chase led by EF Education-EasyPost, supported by Cofidis and Visma-Lease a Bike, keeps the breakaway riders at a reasonable distance. With 30 kilometres to go, the leading group loses Samuel Watson to a crash, then George Bennett. Their lead over the peloton is already down to 55 seconds…
The gap even drops to 15 seconds with 10 kilometres to go. But now, the wind pushes the attackers towards Montrond-les-Bains. They are still 15 seconds ahead as they enter the last 3 kilometres. Pablo Castrillo ups the ante. It’s not enough to drop his rivals. But it ensures the breakaway will sprint for victory.
Simmons proves to be the strongest to narrowly claim victory ahead of Finn Fisher-Black and Matteo Vercher. Only four seconds behind, Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) dominates the sprint in the bunch.
