How a Bold 24-Mile Attack Nearly Stole the Show at the CRO Race

Klaus Schmidt · 2026-09-26

Sometimes the best stories in cycling aren't about the winner. They're about the rider who rolls the dice, gambles everything, and comes agonizingly close. That's exactly what happened on stage 4 of the CRO Race. ### The Setup: One Day After Wellens Shined Tim Wellens had already given UAE Team Emirates-XRG something to celebrate. He took third on stage 3, and he was sitting third overall with the race heading into its final two stages. But cycling rewards the aggressive. And on stage 4, it was Domen Novak's turn to make some noise. If you follow racing closely, you know Novak as a climber. He's the kind of rider who grinds up mountain passes while everyone else is gasping for air. Stage 4 gave him the terrain he wanted, and he didn't waste it. ### The Attack That Changed the Race With roughly 24 miles still to go, Novak made his move. He attacked from the peloton and quickly opened a gap. That's a long way out. Most riders would wait. Most riders would sit in and hope for a sprint. But Novak isn't most riders, and UAE Team Emirates-XRG clearly liked his chances. Behind him, the chase didn't come together the way anyone expected. The gap held. The kilometers ticked down. And suddenly, this wasn't just a brave move. It was a genuine threat. > "You don't attack with 24 miles to go unless you believe it. Novak believed it. And for a while, so did everyone watching." ### A Sprint for Third From a Select Group In the end, the peloton caught him. But here's the thing: Novak didn't fade away. He dug in, stayed with the select group that formed at the front, and then sprinted his way to third place on the stage. That's a huge result. Not because third is the podium's top step. Because it shows what happens when a rider commits fully to an attack and refuses to give up even after getting caught. - He attacked with 24 miles to go - He held off the chase longer than expected - He still had the legs to sprint for third from a reduced group - His teammate Wellens kept third overall with two stages left ### Why This Matters Beyond the Result For UAE Team Emirates-XRG, stage 4 was a statement. They weren't just defending. They were attacking. They were willing to take risks and let their riders race aggressively. And for Novak, it was the kind of ride that reminds everyone why he's on a team like this. He's not just a support rider. He's someone who can animate a race and deliver a result when given the chance. With two stages remaining, Wellens still sits third overall. But the real takeaway from stage 4 isn't the standings. It's the reminder that in cycling, fortune favors the bold. Novak was bold, and it nearly paid off in a big way. Sometimes that's the best kind of racing to watch.