Telekom’s Alexandre Vinokourov won the 144km fourth stage of the Tour of Switzerland from Baar to Wildhaus on Friday, moving into second place overall and closing to within 14 seconds of race leader Gianluca Bortolami (Tacconi Sport-Vini Caldirola). The winner of the Tour of Germany, Vinokourov soloed in nine seconds ahead of Giro d’Italia winner Gilberto Simoni (Lampre-Daikin) and France’s Laurent Jalabert (CSC-World Online).

Hincapie and Hamilton

Photo: Graham Watson

The 144km stage finished with a 13km, second-category climb into Wildhaus, and that’s where things blew apart. After a 115km breakaway by Christian Heule (Post Swiss) and Robbie McEwen (Domo-Farm Frites) was finally reeled in, Lance Armstrong’s Postal Service teammates drove the pace onto the climb. The result: The race exploded, with only about 20 riders able to hang in the lead group.

Among those who were dropped was Bortolami, who would finish the day 2:17 behind Vinokourov, and barely cling to the yellow jersey.

In the closing kilometers, there were several solo attacks, including two by Vinokourov. The Kazakh’s second effort proved to be the winning move, and he soloed in clear of Simoni and Jalabert.

Armstrong would finish 12 seconds back, in a group that contained Oskar Camenzind (Lampre-Daikin), Davide Rebellin (Liquigas-Pata), Stefano Garzelli (Mapei-Quick Step) and Alex Zulle (Coast) among others. Armstrong now lies fifth overall, 26 seconds back of Bortolami, while teammate Tyler Hamilton is seventh, 0:35 behind.