Aru attacks to fifth place in Alps

A race of improvements for the Sardinian climber of UAE Team Emirates, who is gaining confidence from the race rhythm in the Tour of the Alps

“I’ll try, and I’ll test myself,” Fabio Aru said in these days. After coming down from a pre-Giro d’Italia altitude camp, he was content even if he lost some seconds to the best in this edition of the Italian/Austrian stage race.

The test came with an attack at the start of the final climb in stage four, a 6.9-kilometre road averaging 6.7 with the first sectors the most severe.

“I tried because my body needs it and also that I want to show that I didn’t just come to the Tour of the Alps to prepare for the Giro,” he continued.

“I don’t have the same condition as the best here, but I’m happy because I’m improving day by day. I think this race is the best lead up possible for the Corsa Rosa, and it’s also a beautiful race for climbers.”

Spaniard Luis León Sánchez (Astana) won the stage with a few seconds ahead of George Bennett (LottoNL-Jumbo). The race overall leader Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) finishes fourth, Aru fifth – the same position that he holds in the overall at 50 seconds behind Frenchman Pinot.

The race’s final day tomorrow covers 164.2 from Ratteberg to Innsbruck. They are racing a part of the worlds road race circuit that will be used later this summer.

“It’ll be a very important day,” said Aru. “It’s a chance to study the worlds course, a race that I’m keeping high on my list.”

Stage 4 arrival:

1 Luis Leon Sanchez (Spa) Astana Pro-team 3h19’59”

2 George Bennett (NZl) LottoNL-Jumbo +6”

3 Koen Bouwman (Ned) LottoNL-Jumbo +11”

5 Fabio Aru (Ita) UAE Team Emirates +11”

Overall after 4 stages

1 Thibaut Pinot (Fra) Groupama-FDJ 14h12’29”

2 Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita) Bahrain-Merida +15”

3 Miguel Angel Lopez (Col) Astana Pro Team +15”

4 Chris Froome (GBr) Team Sky + 16”

5 Fabio Aru (Ita) UAE Team Emirates +50”