The Victorian rider attacked from a reduced front group inside the final 20 kilometres, extending his advantage before holding off the challenge from the group of general classification favourites behind to take the win. He had opened up a 51 second advantage to claim his first professional victory and the second stage victory this week for Orica-Scott.
Haig was ecstatic to take the victory today in the WorldTour race on what was a tough and hilly stage.
“I’m super happy to get the win today after trying on stage three and coming relatively close, so to be able to try again and have good enough legs to stay away and pull of the win this time was quite special,” Haig said.
“I think to do it on a stage that was so hard and with so many good guys preparing for the Vuelta, it made it even more special.”
“It was also nice to show all the hard work that I’ve put in over the last couple of years and especially the past couple of weeks training in Andorra preparing for this and the Vuelta.
"Today showed I had good legs to be able to attack the way that I did, stay away to the finish and still have a bit of a gap. It’s a really good feeling.”
Haig has long been considered one of Australia's top talents after dominating the National Road Series as a youngster before going over to Europe and riding superbly in the traditional development races. He was given a contract at Orica-Scott and now as a second-year professional he has taken one of the first steps as an elite rider.
Sports director Dave McPartland emphasised the teamwork and commitment from the riders during the race that had allowed Haig to go for the win.
“Today was a dream day for us, everything went perfectly and the whole team committed and worked together so well, so it is great to come away with this win,” said McPartland.
“Once we were on the final lap we tried to use our numbers as we still had four riders left in the reduced front group.
“Ruben Plaza started it off, followed by Rob Power and they set it all up well as the group reduced even more leaving Haig and Yates in the front.
“Once Jack had a gap, Yates did an awesome job behind covering all the moves, but Jack showed today he had the legs and the engine to finish it off.”
Dylan Teuns (BMC) took over the race lead, inheriting the jersey off Peter Sagan's (BORA-Hansgrohe) shoulders after the world champion feel off the pace with 30 kilometres remaining.
"We knew when Haig attacked we could give him a little bit of time because he was already two minutes down," Teuns said after the stage. "But now he's back also in the [GC] game."
"In the last climb it was really hard for me, we were split into two parts, five and five behind, but I was in the second part, it was hard to control everybody," Teuns said.
"So I had to take a little break and there was a gap and then it came back again on the descent, which was good. But then in the finish, I had to control everybody and then they started to sprint and I just hung on for last."
