While Kwiatkowski took the leader’s jersey, it was Chris Froome (Sky) who dealt a fatal blow in the battle for final victory.

Michal Kwiatkowski (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) moved into the overall lead on today’s queen stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico, a demanding, hilly stage ending with the 14.5 km climb up to the mountain finish at Parti di Tivo. Despite sections touching 12 %, the average gradient of 6.9 % meant the pace was extremely high all the way to the finish line, at an altitude of 1,450 m.

Just inside the final 3 km Alberto Contador (Saxo-Tinkoff) went on the attack and instantly opened a gap of approximately 20 m. It soon became clear, though, that Contador has not yet reached top form as he struggled on his way up, being caught by Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) and Mauro Santambrogio (Vini Fantini-Selle Italia). 50 m back Froome was happy to let teammate Rigoberto Uran maintain a steady pace.

Sick and tired of not getting any help from neither Contador nor Santambrogio, Nibali tried to solo his way to victory as soon as he entered the final km. Simultaneously, Froome unleashed a tremendous attack and effortlessly blasted past Santambrogio and Contador. In less than 300 m he did the exact same thing to Nibali and left the Sicilian marooned and helpless.

Without further ado, Froome powered his way to the stage win ahead of Santambrogio and Nibali while Contador struggled badly, apparently cracking inside the last 500 m.

With 3 stages to go, Froome seems to be in an excellent position to take overall victory.

Tomorrow sees a testing 230 km stage to the short, sharp finish at Chieti, while the short final time trial at San Benedetto del Tronto on Tuesday should be to the liking of both Kwiatkowski and Froome. Nibali and Contador will have to be inventive if they are to force their way back into contention.

Result, stage 4:

1 Christopher Froome (GBr) Sky Procycling 4:41:31 
2 Mauro Santambrogio (Ita) Vini Fantini-Selle Italia 00:06” 
3 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Astana Pro Team 00:11” 
4 Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol) Omega Pharma-Quick Step 00:13” 
5 Christopher Horner (USA) RadioShack Leopard 00:15” 
6 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Team Saxo-Tinkoff 
7 Rigoberto Uran Uran (Col) Sky Procycling 00:20” 
8 Wouter Poels (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team 00:43”
9 Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Katusha 
10 Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Team Saxo-Tinkoff  00:58”

General classification:

1 Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol) Omega Pharma-Quick Step 16:04:59 
2 Christopher Froome (GBr) Sky Procycling 00:04” 
3 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Astana Pro Team 00:16” 
4 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Team Saxo-Tinkoff 00:30” 
5 Rigoberto Uran Uran (Col) Sky Procycling 00:33” 
6 Christopher Horner (USA) RadioShack Leopard 00:40” 

7 Mauro Santambrogio (Ita) Vini Fantini-Selle Italia 
8 Jonathan Castroviejo Nicolas (Spa) Movistar Team 01:04” 
9 Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Team Saxo-Tinkoff 01:16” 
10 Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Katusha