Stage Four clearly demonstrates the application of talent for a specific requirement. It has been a predictable sportfest for the sprinters. Why? Those consistently at the finish in these early rounds of the Tour have a talent for holding 25mph for 5 hours, then drawing deep into a burst of acceleration. It takes conditioned fast twitch muscles and a reserve of the right blood chemistry to fuel that last sustained sprint. It’s a talent, a special gift that they have. It is not, however, the talent required to win the Tour.

Robbie McEwan (AUS-DVL) takes his second stage win of the Tour, but we won’t see him in the yellow jersey at the end. His talents are focused on the sprint. Though he moved to 6th place overall, only 12 seconds out of the lead, he will lose major ground in the mountains.

We saw a bit of strategy by Team Discovery (USA) today as Egoi Martinez (ESP-DSC) was instructed to breakaway early. Not the first attack of the day, but 18km into the race, he bolted. Four followed as he sustained an escape that lasted until the last 2km mark. Though he was swarmed at the end, he picked up :16 seconds on points throughout the race, and moved into 5th place overall.

For Discovery (USA), Hincapie (USA-DSC) is still comfortably in third place, with teammates Savoldelli (ITA-DSC) and Martinez (ESP-DSC) among the top seven riders.

Overall Standings After Stage Four

1-BOONEN, Tom -BEL-QSI -19 hrs 52min 13 sec

2-ROGERS, Michael -AUS-TMO –+1 sec

3-HINCAPIE, George -USA-DSC –+5 sec

4-HUSHOVD, Thor -NOR-C.A –+7 sec

5-MARTINEZ, Egoi -ESP-DSC –+10 sec

6-MC EWEN, Robbie -AUS-DVL –+12 sec

7-SAVOLDELLI, Paolo -ITA-DSC –+15 sec

8-BENNATI, Daniele -ITA-LAM –+15 sec

9-LANDIS, Floyd -USA-PHO –+16 sec

10-KARPETS, Vladimir -RUS-CEI –+17 sec