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

Klaus Schmidt · 2026-09-26

Sometimes the best stories aren't about the winner. They're about the rider who dared to go early, risked everything, and still had enough left in the tank to make the podium. That's exactly what Domen Novak did on stage 4 of the CRO Race. ### The Move That Turned Heads With 39km still to race, most riders are thinking about positioning, saving energy, and waiting for the final kick. Novak had other ideas. The Slovenian climber launched a decisive attack for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, forcing the peloton to react immediately. It was a bold move, the kind that either wins you the stage or leaves you empty on the road. He didn't win. But he came awfully close. From a reduced select group, Novak sprinted to third place on the line. That result came just one day after his teammate Tim Wellens finished third on stage 3. Two podiums in two days for the team, and suddenly the CRO Race is looking like a very productive outing for UAE Team Emirates-XRG. ### Why This Result Matters More Than It Looks A third place might not grab headlines the way a victory does. But context matters here. Attacking with 39km to go takes courage and legs. Holding on to sprint for third after that effort takes something extra. Wellens, meanwhile, kept his third place overall intact heading into the final two stages. That's the kind of consistency that wins general classifications. No panic, no wasted energy, just steady riding when it counts. Here's what stood out from the day: - Novak's attack came with 39km remaining, well before most riders consider making a move - He still had enough power to sprint for third from a select group - Wellens retained his third place in the general classification - The team now has back-to-back podium finishes on stages 3 and 4 That's not luck. That's a team executing a plan. ### The Bigger Picture As the CRO Race heads into its final two stages, UAE Team Emirates-XRG finds itself in an enviable position. They've got riders who can attack, riders who can sprint, and riders who can hold their form over multiple days. That combination is rare. Novak's ride was the kind that reminds you why cycling is such a compelling sport. It's not always about crossing the line first. Sometimes it's about having the guts to try something different, to force others to chase, and to prove you belong in the conversation. "He made a decisive attack and ultimately crossed the line in third place." That's the official line. But anyone who watched the stage knows it was more than that. It was a statement. ### What Comes Next With two stages left, the general classification is still up for grabs. Wellens sits third overall, and the team has momentum. If Novak can recover well from his efforts, don't be surprised to see him in the mix again. The CRO Race has been a proving ground for riders willing to take risks. Novak just showed he's one of them. Third place might not be the win he wanted, but it's the kind of performance that gets remembered. And in a sport where fine margins decide everything, that matters.