Israeli startup Nation is competing in its first Tour de France and has been aggressive in trying to get results in the four stages so far. On stage 4, Krists Neilands and Nils Politt entered the breakaway, but did not gain enough time to contend for the stage win. Neilands was the last man standing, but was caught by the peloton led by Dečuninck-Quick Step and Jumbo Visma on the final climb to Orsieres-Mellette.

Neerlands said he was frustrated, but the team celebrated its first podium finish as the Latvian won the Combat Award.

"I went into the breakaway right at the zero kilometer mark. 'I saw an opportunity to take the win in the escape. Nils Pollitt joined me and we planned for me to be the freshest going into the final attack."

Unfortunately for the team, Alexis Vuillermoz (AG2R La Mondiale) was there. A small threat to race leader Julien Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quickstep), who was 3:53 back in the overall standings, the Belgian team had limited room for a breakaway group.

"The problem was that the top overall ranking rider was part of the escape, and the peloton did not allow a big gap to open up. I was very disappointed with the situation, but on the last climb I said to myself, 'Even if I lose, I'm going to attack. I said to myself on the last climb, 'Even if I lose, I will attack. I wasn't using all day to give up. [So I attacked and gave it everything I had. It was great for the team to be on the podium as an aggressive rider, and the whole world saw 'Israel' on the screen for hours. I am determined to achieve victory in this race."

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After Trek-Segafredo led the team standings from the first stage, EF Pro Cycling had the honor of wearing the yellow helmet of the strongest team in the Tour de France on Tuesday.

Rigoberto Urán finished 15th behind stage winner Primoz Roglic (Jumbo Visma) as teammates Daniel Martínez and Sergio Iguita lost 28 seconds in a sudden push to the top of the climb.

"The result of the final climb was due to the combination of the gradient of the climb and the high pace of Jumbo Visma. Rigo showed his experience and held on well until the end. It was a good day to be in first place in the overall team standings. I am looking forward to the coming stages.

Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana) finished sixth on the Orciere Melette, but the Colombian climber was aiming higher. Just before Roglic launched his attack, Lopez was out of the saddle and accelerating down the right side.

"I felt really good today and my legs worked perfectly. I like these climbs because they suit me. The team did a great job for me all day and I was one of the favorites to win the final. Unfortunately, I got boxed in twice in the last two kilometers, but I can be happy with sixth place today," Lopez said.

"This was my first real test in the mountains and I am happy with how I am feeling day by day. It's only the first week of racing and it's only the beginning, so I'll take it one day at a time. "

Frenchman Guillaume Martin, a dark horse candidate for the Tour de France, showed his promise with a brilliant attack on the final climb to Orcières-Merret on stage 4. Cofidis' Guillaume Martin could not withstand the strength of Roglic, but finished third behind Tadey Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates).

"Guillaume has had a great performance the last few days and is eager to attack," said Cofidis coach Cedric Vasseur. "We needed to be patient, especially since this Tour de France is a loser's race. The important thing today was to reassure them, and Guillaume had the legs to do that. He was up there with the best in the world. When you look at his progress over the last few weeks, we can only be optimistic for the next stage."

Martin's move may not have worked, but even digging into the race boosted his morale.

"I certainly didn't go far, but I regret not attacking at 500 meters," Martin said.

"The feeling was really good. After the lockdown, I passed a real turning point and proved it in the Criterium du Dauphiné. To come out on top in the first mountain stage of the Tour de France is very encouraging for the rest of the race."

Martin is now fifth overall, 13 seconds behind Julien Alaphilippe in the yellow jersey.

France had the largest monthly number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, with 3,082 new cases reported despite the reopening of schools nationwide on Monday. Spectators at the Tour de France were scarce, with no spectators on the final climb of stage 4.

ASO and the Véron team business group hope to continue this trend so that the race can continue to the finish in Paris on September 20.

Both groups posted a video reminding fans to wear masks, which are required throughout the country to keep riders away from them and to keep viruses at bay.

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