Stage 4: Al Thakira – Madinat Al Shamal

*** Favourites ***
Cavendish (OPQ), Kittel (ARG), Goss (OGE)

** Outsiders **
Brookes (BAR), Boonen (OPQ), Nizzolo (RLT), Matthews (OGE), Coquard (EUC)

* Can’t be underestimated *
Petacchi (OPQ), Richeze (LAM), Steegmans (OPQ), Phinney (BMC), Hushovd (BMC), Guido (MTN), Sinkeldam (ARG), Davis (OGE)

Once again O’Callaghan is among the early attackers and once again the peloton keep them closely under watch.

Haller takes the first intermediate in front of Brammeier and O’Callaghan.
Also in the group: J. Keough, Shaqif, Zakarin, Gène, Mironov, Honig, Kreder, Verschoor, Juodovalkis, Clancy and Konovalovas.

On the second intermediate it’s Brammeier, O’Callaghan, Gène.

OPQS are forced to do all the work in the peloton.
With 50 km to go they have 4’20’’ to the front group.

25 km to go. Argos and Orica have started working as well and the gap is down to 1’30’’

7 km to go the break has been caught, but the three teams leading the peloton keep up the frantic pace with everyone else struggling to get positioned.

With 3,5 km to go we have three distinct trains.
Nizzolo is on the back of the QuickStep train, which has the advantage.

As Boonen starts his leadout Petacchi slips back and blocks Nizzolo from staying on Cavendish’s wheel.

1 km left. Coquard have gotten hold of Cav’s wheel while Matthews and Sinkeldam are trying to get their captains to the front.

500 m left

An easy finish for the Manx Missile.