Domen Novak's Bold Attack Nearly Steals the Show at CRO Race

Klaus Schmidt · 2026-09-26

Sometimes the best stories in cycling aren't about the winner. They're about the rider who dared to go early, gambled everything, and almost made it stick. That's exactly what happened on stage 4 of the CRO Race, and Domen Novak gave us one of those moments worth talking about. ### The Move That Changed the Race With 39km to go, the Slovenian climber launched a decisive attack for UAE Team Emirates-XRG. It was the kind of move that makes you lean forward in your chair. Bold, calculated, and timed just right. He jumped from a select group and suddenly the race had a completely different shape. Novak didn't just attack for show. He committed. And when the dust settled, he crossed the line in third place, a result that felt earned rather than gifted. ### Wellens Keeps the Momentum Going Here's the thing that makes this result even sweeter for the team. Just one day earlier, Tim Wellens had taken third on stage 3. Now his teammate was matching that performance on stage 4. Two riders, two consecutive days, two podium finishes. That's not luck. That's a team firing on all cylinders. Wellens also retained his third place overall heading into the final two stages. So the team had something to protect and something to chase at the same time. ### Why This Result Matters More Than It Looks A third-place finish might not grab headlines the way a win does. But context matters here. Novak attacked with 39km remaining, which is a long way to hold off a charging peloton. He did it against a select group of strong riders who weren't about to let him waltz away. The fact that he held on for a podium spot says a lot about his form and his racing instincts. He read the moment correctly and backed himself when it counted. ### What's Next for UAE Team Emirates-XRG With two stages left, the team is in an interesting position. Wellens sits third overall, and Novak just proved he has the legs to animate a race. That gives them options. - They can defend Wellens' position and control the race from behind - They can send Novak up the road again to force other teams to chase - They can play both cards and see how the peloton responds Either way, they're not just participating. They're shaping how this race unfolds. ### The Bigger Picture Stage races are often decided in small moments. A well-timed attack. A few seconds gained or lost. A rider who refuses to settle for the pack. Novak's ride on stage 4 was one of those moments. He didn't win the stage. But he made everyone else work harder. And sometimes that's just as valuable as crossing the line first. As the CRO Race heads into its final two stages, keep an eye on this team. They've shown they're willing to take risks and that they have the depth to back it up. Whether that translates into a higher overall finish remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: they won't go down without a fight. And honestly? That's the kind of racing that keeps us watching.