Sam Bennett's run of victories at the Binckbank Tour came to an end on Thursday as Belgian Tim Wellens (Lotto-Soudal) took the hilly 96km fourth stage into Houffalize .
Bora-Hansgrohe rider Bennett won the first three stages at the seven-stage UCI World Tour event, which ends on Sunday. That left him top of the general classification but Bennett lost a chunk of time on a tough afternoon and tumbled down to 77th overall.
He remains clear in the points classification and could well pick up another stage win in tomorrow's flatter trek from Riemst to Venray.
Wellens just held off Marc Hirschi (Sunweb) and Laurens De Plus (Jumbo-Visma) to prevail today after the trio pulled away from from the leaders group with around 30km to go. Wellens now holds the overall lead ahead of the Swiss Hirschi and De Plus, also of Belgium.
