For the second day in succession Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) proved to be superior in a sprint decision leaving Barry Markus (Vacansoleil-DCM) to take second place once again while Andrea Guardiani (Astana) took his first podium placing of the season.

The fourth stage witnessed a crash within the final 2 km before the finish line meaning that no team could establish a lead out train for the sprint but the riders in front of the peloton managed to remain unaffected by the crash and decided the matter of the stage win among themselves.

American Brent Bookwalter (BMC) failed to maintain his leader’s jersey since he was caught behind the crashing riders with all of his teammates. Bookwalter came in at 1:30 and now trails Cavendish by the tender margin of 2 seconds.

Top ten, stage 4:
1. Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma-Quick Step)

2. Barry Markus (Vacansoleil-DCM)
3. Andrea Guardini (Astana)
4. Filippo Fortin (Bardiani)
5. Alexander Kristoff (Katusha)
6. Jonathan Cantwell (Team Saxo-Tinkoff)
7. Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ)
8. Aidis Kruopis (Orica-GreenEDGE)
9. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky)
10. Davide Appollonio (AG2R La Mondiale)

Overall:
1. Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma-Quick Step)