Tour de France Femmes: Yara Kastelijn soloes to stunning win on Stage 4, Lotte Kopecky retains yellow

Yara Kastelijn (Fenix–Deceuninck) turned in a stunning solo ride to win Stage 4 of the Tour de France Femmes.

It had been an action-packed start to the 177.1km run from Cahors to Rodez – the longest stage of this second edition of the race – as a breakaway formed just over 20km into the day.

There were 14 riders in it, and at one stage they took their advantage out over nine minutes.

That gap came down as the stage progressed – and many of the escapees were caught – but still out in front with just 5km to go was Kastelijn.

Her pursuers were at around a minute and a half as she eyed a famous victory – and possibly even the yellow jersey if she could keep enough of a gap to Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx), who was back at around two minutes from the Dutchwoman.

And she fended them all off, battling her way up the brutal final climb to take the day.

Kopecky crossed the line with enough of a margin to retain the overall lead of the race by 43 seconds from SD Worx team-mate Demi Vollering.