More TT agony in Dauphiné

Dauphiné's fourth stage, a 53km TT from Villié-Morgon to Bourg-en-Bresse, was another Euskaltel no show as the team's top man could only muster 69th on the day.

Samuel Sánchez naturally took it easy due to his fall on stage 1, cruising home in 112th place more than seven minutes in arrears. Ricardo García was forced to post a DNS as the injuries sustained in yesterday's crash proved too much to bear for the 24-year-old. It was initially suggested he'd have no problem carrying on, but the team's website says he woke up with an inflamed wrist that inhibited his movement to such an extent that riding a time trial would be impossible.

Gorka Verdugo was as anticipated the team's top man, but 69th at a full 5:38 was not up to his usual standard. Overall he's also the best in orange in 49th, 6:13 back on runaway-victor Bradley Wiggins. The Brit looks to be on course for a tremendous Tour - he'll take some beating.

Stage four results:

• (1, Bradley Wiggins (Sky), 1:03:12)
• 69, Gorka Verdugo, 5:38
• 95, Egoi Martínez, 6:44
• 112, Samuel Sánchez, 7:26
• 118, Jorge Azanza, 7:46
• 137, Mikel Landa, 8:54
• 148, Peio Bilbao, 9:50
• 162, Alan Pérez, 10:27

Photo: www.fundacioneuskadi.com