Juan José Lobato has become second in the fourth stage of the Vuelta a España. Team LottoNL-Jumbo’s 28-year-old rider was very strong in the final and almost sprinted to his second victory of this season. Lobato commenced his sprint early, but the Italian Matteo Trentin was stronger in the end.

On the one hand Lobato was disappointed, but on the other hand his second place was a relief. “I started my season badly. I could train very well the last two months. That is paying off in this Vuelta, but I would like to win a stage”, he stated afterwards.

The technically difficult last kilometres suited the Spanish local very well. “Stef Clement did a great job in the final. By doing so, I could position myself more easily. At three hundred metres before the line, I started sprinting. Unfortunately Trentin was stronger today. Luckily, I will get more chances.”

Lobato’s second place is a boost for Team LottoNL-Jumbo. “Of course it’s a pity that Lobato ended up second in the end, but it was nice to see how we could stay in front in the last fifteenth kilometres”, sports director Engels looked back. “Furthermore, Lobato showed he can win a stage in this Vuelta. That offers perspectives for the upcoming days.”