Costa claims Trofeo Deià

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Rui Costa (Caisse d'Epargne) out-sprinted breakaway companion Joan Horrach (Team Katusha) to win the fourth stage of the Challenge Mallorca, the Trofeo Deià, on Wednesday. The two escapees narrowly held off a select 33-rider chase group led in by Costa's teammate José Iván Gutiérrez seven seconds later.

For the second consecutive day the category two Puig Major, Mallorca's highest mountain, proved decisive in the race's outcome. The previous day's winner and runner-up, Linus Gerdemann (Team Milram) and Rafael Valls (Footon-Servetto), were the first two over the frigid summit lined with snow, followed by Rein Taaramae (Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne), Alexandre Botcharov (Team Katusha), Markus Eibegger (Footon-Servetto) and Costa.

On the challenging descent Costa, Horrach and Taaramae went clear inside of 25 kilometres to the finish line.

The leading trio extended their lead to 30 seconds with 10 kilometres remaining, but a determined chase group steadily chipped into their lead.

Costa, Horrach and Taaramae still had to tackle the third category Coll de'n Bleda at five kilometres to go, and the trio reached its peak holding a narrow 12-second advantage.

Two kilometres later their lead dropped to 10 seconds and soon afterwards Taaramae was dropped from the escape. Costa and Horrach continued in their pursuit of victory in the 143km Trofeo Deià as their lead dipped under 10 seconds inside the flamme rouge.

The duo timed their efforts to perfection with Costa prevailing over Horrach in the two-man sprint, holding off their pursuers by seven seconds at the finish.

While the peloton enjoyed dry conditions, the Trofeo Deià's four categorized climbs and cold weather again wreaked havoc on the field with 87 riders finishing outside the time cut and a further 26 abandoning on the day.

The 2010 Challenge Mallorca concludes tomorrow with the 158.5km Trofeo Magaluf – Palmanova, another mountainous stage featuring five categorized climbs.