LA SPEZIA, Italy — Davide Formolo carried off a solo attack to perfection to win the fourth stage of the Giro d'Italia Tuesday, while Simon Clarke took the overall leader's pink jersey from Orica-Greenedge teammate Michael Matthews. Overall favorites Fabio Aru, Alberto Contador, and Richie Porte finished in the lead chasing group, while Colombian rider Rigoberto Uran, who finished second in the past two years, lost 42 seconds. For his first professional victory, Formolo attacked on a climb shortly before the finish and clocked nearly 4 hours along the undulating 150-kilometer route from Chiavari to La Spezia. “I'm here to learn,” Formolo said. “It's my first Giro and I don't have any pressure.” Clarke, an Australian, won a sprint to place second, 22 seconds behind, and Jonathan Monsalve of Venezuela crossed third. Matthews finished back in 129th place, 20 minutes adrift. “When I crossed the finish, I couldn't contain my emotions knowing I had the jersey,” said Clarke, who raised his arms as if he had won the stage. “I worked hard to be ready for this Giro.” In the overall standings, Clarke holds a 10-second lead over teammate Esteban Chaves. Tinkoff-Saxo teammates Roman Kreuziger and Contador are third and fourth, respectively, both 17 seconds behind. Aru is fifth, 23 seconds behind, and Porte is 10th, 37 seconds back. The 98th Giro ends May 31 in Milan. Italian cycling star Domenico Pozzovivo, meanwhile, was set to leave hospital in Genoa after receiving treatment to head and face injuries following a heavy fall in the third stage.
Pozzovivo crashed heavily on a descent 94km into Monday's stage. Giro d'Italia deputy director Massimo Branca said: “He spent a good night in hospital, one of our staff was with him throughout the night and he informed me that he (Pozzovivo) was able to have breakfast this morning.” — Agencies
