Greipel wins fourth stage of Tour of Britain in Warwickshire

GERMANY'S Andre Greipel was victorious at Leamington Spa as the Tour of Britain’s fourth stage ended in a sprint.

Thousands of spectators lined the streets of Warwickshire to see top cyclists battle it out in the UK’s most prestigious road race.

The county’s debut as stage-host for the OVO Energy Tour of Britain proved to be a huge success, with people flocking to see cycling’s biggest names tackle the 183.5km route.

And it was Greipel who took centre stage for the second time this week, adding the 183.5-kilometres stage from Nuneaton to Sunday’s opening win in Newport, with Italy’s Sacha Modolo (Education First) second and Patrick Bevin (BMC Racing) third.

New Zealand’s Bevin (BMC Racing) retained the overall lead ahead of today’s, Thursday’s, fifth stage, a 14km uphill team time-trial from Cockermouth to Whinlatter. Australia’s Cameron Meyer is four seconds behind and Julian Alaphilippe of France is a further two seconds back. Hugh Carthy (Education First) is the highest-placed Briton, 0.23 behind in ninth.

After his second win in four days, Greipel said: “I knew it was going to be a long sprint but I planned to go from the corner full gas and it worked out perfectly.”

Wednesday's fourth stage took in large swathes of the Stratford district, passing through the likes of Wellesbourne, Halford, Shipston, Ilmington, Ebrington, Brailes, Tysoe and Kineton before heading to the finish line in Leamington.

The race finishes on Sunday in central London.