With clear blue skies to motivate the peloton today, stage 4 was fast from the gun. The peloton averaged 35 mph the first hour of the race as attack after attack went and got caught.

David Millar joined a solid breakaway of about ten just after the race passed through Staffordshire. The break held until they hit a fast decent through Barlaston where Agritubel cranked up the chase. The break was caught with 3 km to go.

Julian Dean, Chris Sutton and Dan Martin battled their way to the front to finish just behind stage winner Edval Hagen. Dan’s strong finished moved him up to 7th overall and just 14″ off the race leader.

Team Garmin-Chipotle stage results
1. Edval Boasson Hagen 3h36′11″
4. Julian Dean +04″
18. Dan Martin +12″
24. Chris Sutton +12″
49. Magnus Backstedt +1′08″
65. David Millar +1′32″
66. Trent Lowe +1′32″

Team Garmin-Chipotle GC
1. Geoffroy Lequarte 13h43′06″
7. Dan Martin +14″
18. Chris Sutton +1′59″
26. Julian Dean +12′32″
50. Magnus Backstedt +13′38″
62. David Millar +14′06″
64. Trent Lowe +14′06″