Tour Down Under stage 4

Rubén Pérez made sure Euskaltel got some exposure at the Tour Down Under by forming part of the fourth stage's four-man break earlier today. The ever-aggressive 30-year-old broke clear 25 kilometres into the stage from Norwood to Tanunda and quickly got company in the shape of Blel Kadri, Gatis Smukulis and Jay McCarthy. Despite the break's obvious strength on the flats, it wasn't to be, as the peloton kept them on a tight leash throughout and caught the escapees some 30 clicks out. On the hilly run-in to Tanunda, the pack was reduced to a mere 48 riders, of which Óscar Freire proved to be the strongest. The team's GC hopeful, Gorka Izagirre, comfortably handled the pace and crossed the line in 37th place - and thus staying in contention for the overall ahead of tomorrow's decisive stage to Willunga.

Ricardo García and Romain Sicard came home alongside previous holder of the ochre jersey, André Greipel, 7:45 in arrears, while Sáez and a naturally drained Rubén Pérez ended up 9:59 down. Urtasun and Cabedo cruised home 14:16 back.

GC:

• 36, Gorka Izagirre, 0:12
• 60, Romain Sicard, 7:57
• 74, Rubén Pérez, 10:08
• 85, Adrián Sáez, 13:52
• 102, Ricardo García, 20:22
• 126, Pablo Urtasun, 29:43
• 130, Victor Cabedo, 30:45