Ivan Anisimov of Russia secured first place in Stage 4 of the Tour of Luzon, clocking in at 3:59:41. The stage ran from the Bongabon Town Arch in Palayan City to the Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Capitol in Bayombong.
Anisimov faced a setback when he crashed in the last 25 kilometers but managed to recover swiftly, sprinting the final 500 meters to take the lead.
He tackled three steep climbs while battling the intense heat, showcasing his endurance and determination.
I crashed in the last 25km and I broke my shifters. After the crash, I felt better. I only thought about the finish. Today may be the best finish in my career.
Ivan Anisimov
Anisimov expressed satisfaction with his performance, stating, "The last 20km for me is very good. I had good legs and a good position for a finish."
A total of 32 other cyclists finished at the same time, including Anisimov's teammate Nikita Shulchenko, who maintained the overall lead in the race.
All of my teammates are working for this (me retaining the yellow jersey). I made my move about 30 kilometers to the finish line after being behind the peloton initially.
Nikita Shulchenko
The Tour continues with Stage 5, which will take place from Santiago City in Isabela to Tuguegarao City, covering a distance of 130.60 kilometers.