Sam Watson (Netcompany Ineos) was exactly where he wanted to be mid-way through stage 4 of the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes – out front in the break with an opportunity to use his finishing speed to chase stage victory on the uphill incline to the line.
It was a day that could have been the perfect tonic to a challenging season for Watson where, despite his winning start in the Santos Tour Down Under prologue, the rider has had to manage a knee injury, a crash at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and a fall whilst in the front group at Tour of Flanders that cut short not only his effort at the race but also his Spring Classics season.
