The Eritrean Ferekalsi Debesay of MTN-Qhubeka won the fourth stage of La Tropicale Amissa Bongo from a breakaway, providing the African Pro Continental team with a consolation prize after they were refused to receive the wildcard invitation to the Giro d’Italia.

The Eritrean Ferekalsi Debesay (MNT-Qhubeka) won the fourth stage of the Tropicale Amissa Bongo held in Gabon (2.2). The route of today’s slightly lumpy stage took the peloton from Lambarane to Mauila, covering the distance of 190 kilometers.

A breakaway containing of 8 riders: Marco Minnaard (Wanty-Grouppe Gobert), Romain Guillemois (Europcar), Louis Verhelst (Cofidis), Hervé Raoul Mba (Cameroon), Valens Ndayisenga (Rwanda), Mouhcine Lahsaini (Morocco), Ferekalsi Debesay (Eritrea) and Raul Seibeb (Namibia), has formed early in the race and the elastic quickly snapped as the riders received a permission to go from the leading teams.  

Two kilometers from the finish line, the Eritrean surprised other riders from the leading group by launching a decisive attack, and claimed a first stage win for MTN-Qhubeka in the event by outsprinting Mouhcine Lahsaini and Marco Minnaard.

There were no significant changes to general classification, as the stage was decided from a breakaway.

Stage 4 results:

1. DEBESAY Ferekalsi (MTN-QHUBEKA)

2. LAHSAINI Tarik (Maroc)

3. MINNAARD Marco (Wanty Groupe Gobert)

4. MBA Hervé Raoul (Cameroun)

5. VERHELST Louis (Cofidis)

General Classification:

1. SANCHEZ Luis Leon (Caja Rural)
2. GARCIA Egoitz (Cofidis)
3. BERHANE Natnael (Europcar)
4. GERDEMANN Linus (MTN QHUBEKA)
5. HABEAUX Grégory (Wanty Groue Gobert)