Australian Robbie McEwen turned on the style to claim an impressive win on the fourth stage of the Tour de France on Wednesday as world champion Tom Boonen held on to the yellow jersey.
A five-man breakaway of Egoi Martinez, Bradley Wiggins, Christophe Mengin, Laurent Lefevre and Cedric Coutouly had led for much of the day after going clear after 20km, but as with the previous stages they were slowly reeled in by the chasing peloton before McEwen stormed through the field to take the victory.
Boonen holds a one second lead over Michael Rogers at the top of the leaderboard at the end of stage four, while Jerome Pineau held on to the King of the Mountains' polka-dot jersey.
McEwen took the sprinters green jersey off Boonen, although it was Egoi Martinez who picked up maximum points from Wednesday's three sprints.
Stage 4, Huy (Belgium) - Saint-Quentin (207km):
1 R McEwen Aus/Davitamon-Lotto 4hrs 59mins 50secs
2 I Galvez Spa/Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears
3 O Freire Spa/Rabobank
4 T Hushovd Nor/Credit Agricole
5 T Boonen Bel/Quick-Step-Innergetic
6 D Kopp Ger/Gerolsteiner
7 D Bennati Ita/Lampre-Fondital
General classification after stage 4:
1 T Boonen Bel/Quick-Step-Innergetic 19hrs 52mins 13secs
2 M Rogers Aus/T-Mobile at 0.01
3 G Hincapie USA/Discovery Channel at 0.05
4 T Hushovd Nor/Credit Agricole at 0.07
5 E Martinez Spa/Discovery Channel at 0.10
6 R McEwen Aus/Davitamon-Lotto at 0.12
7 P Savoldelli Ita/Discovery Channel at 0.15
