In the closing kilometers of stage 4 at the Tour For All, Pier-André Côté was never far from the action. The young Canadian not only leaned on his cycling talent but on his tactical knowledge of the Zwift platform. When the peloton got strung out in the final kilometer, Côté stayed patient and used the wheels in front of him before hitting out inside the final 250 meters. Grega Bole (Bahrain McLaren) was the only rider strong enough to squeeze past within sight of the line where Côté finished a close second. Heidi Franz led home the women’s team in 15th place.
“I’m really happy with the result against top-level guys,” said Côté. “My goal was to be near the front and sprint from one draft to another and hit the front at the right time. I crumbled a little bit when I got close to the line but I gave it everything.”
When racing outdoors you have to navigate physical bodies and are limited by the width of the road. On Zwift, there’s no steering to worry about and instead, riders are watching the watts per kilogram of their competitors to anticipate the next attack.
“You have to remain focused and stay near the front in these races so you’re ready for changes in pace,” added Côté. “My time on Zwift is paying off and today’s result was definitely a confirmation that I haven’t lost too much fitness despite the recent training restrictions.”
Zwift has saved the heardest stage for last, sending the riders up Alpe du Zwift in the stage 5 finale on Friday. The 12-mile climb features 21 switchbacks and rises more than 1,000 meters in elevation. The mountaintop finish not only ensures a worthy winner on the day but also suits the best overall teams in the inaugural Tour For All.
Men’s stage 4 results
1 GREGA BOLE [TBM]
2 PIER-ANDRÉ CÔTÉ [RLY]
3 NICK SCHULTZ [MTS]
4 BENJAMIN THOMAS [GFC]
5 DRIES DE BONDT [AFC]
6 RYAN GIBBONS [NTT]
7 DARYL IMPEY [MTS]
8 SCOTT THWAITES [AFC]
9 MICHAEL GOGL [NTT]
10 JONAS RICKAERT [AFC]
Women’s stage 4 results
1 LEAH DIXON [TIB]
2 TANJA ERATH [CSR]
3 TENIEL CAMPBELL [VAL]
4 MARIANNE VOS [CCC]
5 VITTORIA GUAZZINI [VAL]
6 CHLOÉ DYGERT [T20]
7 LONNEKE UNEKEN [DLT]
8 APRIL TACEY [DRP]
9 EMILIA FAHLIN [FDJ]
10 KRISTEN FAULKNER [TIB]
11 JESS PRATT [CSR]
12 CHRISTA RIFFEL [CSR]
13 AURELA NERLO [CCC]
14 EMILY NEWSOM [TIB]
15 HEIDI FRANZ [RLW]