No GC change as break prevails

Kévin Vauquelin and Oscar Onley retained second and third overall as the breakaway prevailed on stage four of Tour Auvergne - Rhône-Alpes. 

The GC duo were part of the peloton which was unable to catch the day’s breakaway as Quinn Simmons (Lidl Trek) earned the victory.

Dorian Godon sprinted to 16th on the stage, but the peloton was contesting minor placings as the break took the spoils on the day. 

Sam Watson was part of the breakaway which finally escaped the peloton after a 60km-long tussle on hilly parcours.

It took the category two Côte de Chougoirand to make the difference as Watson managed to bridge over to a trio of escapees who created an initial gap.

The British national champion then worked as part of the 12-rider group which managed to eek out a stable gap of around 1:30.

Unfortunately, Watson then suffered a crash on the descent of the Côte de la Roche en Forez and dropped back, but he was ok to continue and rode to the finish.

Meanwhile, the break continued to fight for every second on the run-in to Montrond-les-Bains and successfully evaded the chasing peloton to contest the stage win between them.