Sitting in third overall, Sylvain Chavanel (IAM) has not given up hope of beating Tony Martin in the Tour of Belgium and the Frenchman went on the attack on the hilly finishing circuit in stage 4. Omega Pharma-Quick Step and Lotto Belisol managed to bring it back together for a bunch sprint but the IAM team will continue to ride aggressively in the race's queen stage.

In spite of a late climb, the sprinters still had the last laugh on the fourth stage of the Tour of Belgium. André Greipel (Lotto Belisol) took the victory at the line, without endangering Tony Martin’s (Omega Pharma-Quickstep) overall lead.

IAM Cycling held its own throughout the stage which was marked by a three man breakaway on the final circuit. Eager to take time enough to get on the top step of the podium on Sunday in Oreye, Sylvain Chavanel launched an attack on the last climb of the day. 

Unfortunately for him, Lotto Belisol would not let him go, and brought back the hard charging French time trial champion. Mario Chiesa, directeur sportif for the Swiss team along with Eddy Seigneur, confirmed the value of the attacking spirit of his riders. 

“The idea was to attack in the final climb and scatter the peloton. This did not work as well as hoped, but all our guys managed to stay with the main pack until the finish.”

For his part, Matthias Brändle, 5th in the general classification after having taken 5th in the time trial on Friday, said that the entire team was strong.

“We are all ready to play for the win. And we have really managed to show off the jersey well this week. Personally, I am very satisfied. The sensations and legs are really good. We will still try our luck during the last stage, which will have a number of difficulties.

“Then soon enough we’ll be thinking of the Dauphiné Libéré, which will kick off with a 10 kilometer time trial that should suit me. On Monday, I will try to recover and work to maintain my form to do well at the Dauphiné.”