Wednesday, July 9: Live updates from Stage 4
LE PUY DU FOU, France

223km

11:45 a.m. (local time):
The Tour’s fourth stage starts with 195 riders in Plumelec. Today’s missing rider is Tony Rominger, who abandoned in the third stage after falling late in the stage in a spill, breaking his right clavicle. He’s scheduled to fly to Paris today for surgery. Again, clear skies and calm winds welcome the peloton. Brittany and Normandy are notorious for their fierce winds and rainy days, but in the opening days of the 84th Tour de France, nothing but picture-postcard days await the peloton.

12:50 p.m. (local time):
The peloton covers the first hour of the course very slowly, barely putting down 30 kilometers.

1:46 p.m. (local time):
In how many languages can you say "tranquil"? There have been no breaks, attacks or anything worthy of mention. The peloton is riding slowly together through the rolling hills of Brittany, just passing the 65.5km mark in the first two hours of the race. Crosswinds are starting to pick up. This region of France is one of the oldest inhabitated areas of Europe. The druids lived here thousands of years ago. Later, the Celtic tribes moved in in 800 B.C. Later the Romans drove them into the forests, where the Celts maintained their customs. Once the Romans were driven back, the Celts came back and even today many of their customs are still apparent, especially in the fine music and cuisine distinctive of this region. After the stage in Plumelec, the locals threw a huge party for the press and race volunteers, serving up oysters, roasted pig and lamb and lots and lots of local wine.

2:04 p.m. (local time):
At the day’s first points sprint at the 73km mark, yesterday’s winner Erik Zabel (Telekom) sprung ahead of Saeco’s Mario Cipollini, with Mercatone’s Mario Traversoni third.

With the points, Zabel shaves another two seconds off Cipollini’s lead, cutting it to 12 seconds. Cipollini will have to work hard to defend his jersey against Zabel. The peloton is starting to come alive, picking up the pace after powering through the sprint.

2:24 p.m. (local time):
MG’s Fabiano Fontanelli crashed after he hit a spectator. No details on injuries.

2:32 p.m. (local time):
Cofidis’s Philippe Gaumont has pulled off the front of the peloton at the 84km mark.

2:37 p.m. (local time):
Gaumont’s lead is up to 1:50 at the 90km mark. Also, Banesto’s Garcia Acosta has abandoned after another crash in the peloton.

2:43 p.m. (local time):
Gaumont’s lead is at 3:30 at the 99km mark, and the peloton is starting to pick up the pace. This part of the course is long, flat plains near the Atlantic Coast with strong crosswinds.

2:51 p.m. (local time):
At the day’s second sprint at the 102km mark at Saint-Pere-en-Retz, Gaumont won, pulling 6:09 ahead of the peloton. Zabel finished second, with Cipollini third. The intermediate point sprints are worth six-, four- and two-second times bonuses for the top three. Through two sprints, Zabel has shaved four seconds off Cipollini’s lead.

3:30 p.m. (local time):
At the 111km mark, the peloton has gone through the day's feed zone. Gaumont has pulled away more than 11 minutes. Could he be gone?

4:15 p.m. (local time):
Gaumont's lead is down to 8:27 at the 149km mark. Telekom and Mapei are working hard at the front of the pack to reel him in.

4:45 p.m. (local time):
At the 172km mark, Gaumont's lead is down to 2:40 and shrinking. TVM is at the front of the pack now, and a points sprint is coming up.

5:10 p.m. (local time):
Gaumont was reeled in at the 191km mark. At the points sprint there were two riders who went out ahead, Nicola Loda (MG), who won it, and Paul van Hyfte (Lotto) who was second. The pair is out 18 seconds. Overall leader Mario Cipollini came in third.

5:43 p.m. (local time):
Today's stage ended in a photo finish sprint. Nicola Minali (Batik) is the unofficial winner, followed by Frédéric Moncassin (Gan) and Erik Zabel (Telekom).

Mario Cipollini (Saeco) retains the overall lead.