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

Klaus Schmidt · 2026-09-26

### A Day After Wellens, Another UAE Rider Steps Up Sometimes the best stories in cycling aren't about the winner. They're about the rider who dared to shake things up when everyone else was playing it safe. On stage 4 of the CRO Race, that rider was Domen Novak. Just 24 hours after his UAE Team Emirates-XRG teammate Tim Wellens grabbed third on stage 3, Novak decided it was his turn. The Slovenian climber launched a gutsy attack with 39 kilometers (about 24 miles) still to go. That's a long way to hold off a charging peloton, especially on a course that punishes anyone who goes too early. He didn't win. But he made everyone earn it. ### The Move That Changed the Race Here's what makes Novak's ride so impressive. Attacking with 24 miles left isn't a casual gamble. It's a statement. You're telling the whole bunch that you back your legs, your lungs, and your nerve. A select group eventually caught him, but Novak still had enough left to sprint to third place from that reduced bunch. That takes a rare mix of endurance and finishing speed. Most riders who go that deep early either fade hard or get swallowed whole. He did neither. Meanwhile, Wellens quietly held onto his third place overall, setting up a fascinating final two stages for the team. ### Why This Matters More Than the Result > "You don't always need the win to prove you belong. Sometimes you just need to make the race remember your name." That quote could easily be Novak's motto after stage 4. Here's why his ride matters beyond the podium spot: - **It shows team depth.** UAE Team Emirates-XRG isn't relying on one rider. Two different guys delivered top finishes on back-to-back days. - **It puts pressure on rivals.** When a climber attacks 24 miles out, other teams have to burn energy chasing. That fatigue adds up. - **It builds momentum.** Going into the final stages, the team has options. That's a scary thing for the competition. ### What to Watch in the Final Two Stages With Wellens sitting third overall and Novak riding with confidence, the next two days could get interesting. Expect the team to test their rivals early and often. If the legs are there, a stage win or a jump up the general classification isn't out of reach. For fans, this is exactly the kind of racing you hope for. Not a predictable procession, but a fight. Novak gave us that on stage 4, and there's no reason to think he's done attacking. Sometimes third place feels like a win. This was one of those days.