Almeida claims stage four of Paris-Nice as Vingegaard takes overall lead

The final kilometre was reminiscent of the Visma leader’s Tour clashes with Tadej Pogacar, and as so often when vying with Almeida’s teammate, Vingegaard simply slowed off in the finale to come second by Ilsec

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UAE Team Emirates XRG's Joao Almeida won stage four of the Paris-Nice on Wednesday after Danish two-time Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard attacked first on a tough final climb to take the overall lead.

The final kilometre was reminiscent of the Visma leader's Tour clashes with Tadej Pogacar, and as so often when vying with Almeida’s teammate, Vingegaard simply slowed off in the finale to come second by Isec.

Mattias Skjelmose finished third and French climber Lenny Martinez was fourth, a further second back.

Vingegaard the winner of February's Tour of the Algarve, was unhappy with the weather and the stage but now leads Paris-Nice from overnight leader Matteo Jorgenson of the US by 5sec.

“Nobody enjoyed that stage, it should have been stopped. We were all shivering,” said the yellow jersey who learned his trade riding into coastal winds in a remote part of Denmark.

Portugal's Almeida is no fan of winter weather either.