Having lost 14 seconds due to a split in stage 1, Geraint Thomas had a chance to take some time back in the many intermediate sprints on stage 4 of the Eneco Tour. However, his Sky team failed to get into position for the sprints and so the Welshman left the stage empty-handed.

Geraint Thomas held station on the general classification after avoiding a late crash at the Eneco Tour on stage four.

The Welshman was well-positioned in the final kilometre and was one of just 14 riders who were able to make it through a frightening crash on the narrow finishing straight to contest the sprint.

Thomas stayed upright and looks set to rise one place on the leaderboard to fifth after stage two winner and defending race champion Zdenek Stybar crashed hard and was forced to abandon the race.

Remaining 14 seconds back on the race leader, Thomas entered the closing stages with team-mate Luke Rowe riding shotgun, with both riders thankfully able to avoid the carnage which ensued.

Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ.fr) sprinted to victory on the stage, besting Luka Mezgec (Giant-Shimano) and Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek Factory Racing) at the line. Lars Boom (Belkin) took a knock after narrowly avoiding the crash but was able to retain his four-second race lead as the event gets set to enter Classics country.

Sports Director Nicolas Portal described a tricky finale to the stage and a look ahead to Friday's stage on some classic terrain.

He explained: “It was a tough finish. The last kilometre had a chicane and the peloton was quite stretched so we wanted to be near the front. It was quite tactical too as there was a big fight to take bonifications on each lap. We struggled a bit to get into the position to take some seconds.

"At the finish Geraint did a really good job, moving himself into the right position with the help of Luke and Christian (Knees). That kept him safe from the crash.

“Tomorrow is like a mini Classics stage. There are plenty of climbs and short, steep sections. After the time trial it is the next big GC stage and it should be really interesting.”