Vauquelin secures sixth from break on stage four

Kevin Vauquelin secured sixth place for Netcompany INEOS on stage four of the Tour de France after being in the break all day.

An attacking start to the hilly stage from Carcassonne to Foix saw Vauquelin make the early break of around 35 riders. The gap was quickly established, gaining two minutes before the first of the four climbs of the day, and racked up over 10 minutes as the stage went on.

Attacks came from the front of the race over the climbs, but none were able to stick, until the final climb of the day up the Col de Montségur, with Vauquelin going clear with nine others.

It was down to a sprint finish from the group of 10, with Vauquelin managing his time, and taking the lead into the final corner with 300m to go.

It was timed well, but a powerful sprint from Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) saw him take the win, with the Frenchman finishing sixth on the line.