Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team rider Alessandro Petacchi moved one step closer to a podium spot in the 169.6km Stage 4 of Eneco Tour on Thursday. He finished 4th in the bunch sprint, after OPQS chased down the breakaway of the day and put all riders on the front in the final kilometers to put him in the best position.
A crash in the final kilometers forced a field split, and took one or two sprinters out of contention. However, OPQS, Belkin Pro Cycling Team, Lotto-Belisol, and Garmin-Sharp all stayed safe in the front of the peloton and kept their trains ready for the finale. Lotto-Belisol strung out the pace in the final 2km, and their sprinter Andre Greipel went on to win the stage. Giacomo Nizzolo (Radioshack-Leopard) was 2nd, and Lars Boom (Belkin) was 3rd.
Boom is also the new leader of the race. OPQS rider Zdenek Stybar moves one place down to 4th in the GC. OPQS looks next to a 13.2km TT on Friday.
