Hunter wins at Med’ Tour

South African sprinter Robert Hunter gave his Barloworld team a victory in Friday’s fourth stage at the Mediterranean Tour while Spanish rider Luis León Sánchez (Caisse d’Epargne) regained the overall lead.

Hunter and Sánchez were part an early move that pulled clear in the opening 20km of the 135km stage between Greasque and Bouc-Bel-Air that tackled the Cat. 1 Col de Portes in the first hour of racing. Five others later bridged out making it a baker’s dozen on a the long flats toward the finish. The winning move also included Danny Martin and Danny Pate, both from Garmin-Slipstream.

Hunter had the help of Barloworld teammate Felix Cardenas, who helped drive the break over the decisive climb.

“I’m so proud of Robert and Felix since they are the oldest riders of the team, but they have a great experience. It was not easy at all to take the win today, because of the wind and the fearsome competitors, but we got it,” said Barloworld sport director Alberto Volpi. “I guess at the moment we have shown we are one of the best team and tomorrow we will have another chance to exploit our good shape.”

A gap of more than seven minutes was whittled down by the chasing pack, but eight stayed clear, with Hunter t aking the flowers and Sánchez regaining the lead at the expense of Caisse d’Epargne teammate Iván Gutiérrez.

Caisse d’Epargne teammate Imanol Erviti slipped into second at 13 seconds back with Jussi Veikanen (FDJeux) slotting into third at 36 seconds back. Garmin-Slipstream’s Martin and Pate moved into fourth and fifth, respectively, at 50 seconds and 1:13 back.

Overnight leader Ivan Gutierrez (Caisse d’Epargne) missed the move, but with two teammates in the break, could only sit back and watch. He finish more than four minutes off the pace with the main pack.

“I feel sorry for taking the leader jersey from a team-mate” Sánchez said. “The race circumstances were such that a breakaway took shape and I was in it. I was lucky to have Imanol Erviti at my side, because he achieved a fantastic job so that our most direct adversaries lose as much time as possible. Now I think that it will be difficult for anybody to defeat us in this race.”

The race continues Saturday with the 160km stage from Brignoles to Marseille.

FILED UNDER: Road