In the Tour de France, riders geared up to endure the longest stretch of the tour. Stage 4 goes from the medieval town of Saumur to Limoges covering 237.5 kilometres. 24 hours earlier Marc Cavendish was victorious thanks to a frantic photo finish and this time out it would be German Marcel Kittle coming out on top in an even closer sprint to the end.

Last year Kittel was forced to pull out of the event due to a lack of fitness having won four stages in the previous 2 tours.

He's not in the peloton early on though with Oliver Naesen, Alexis Gougeard, Markel Irizar and Andreas Schillinger all breaking away after the 55.5 milometer mark.

Peter Sagan's 4th placed finish yesterday meant the 26-year-old still holds the yellow jersey.

And hoping to keep hold of the over all lead, his Tinkoff teammates hit the front to speed up the pace and square off in a sprint with team the Etixx-Quick Step team.

When it comes down to the pursuit it's pretty much neck and neck between France's Bryan Coquard and Kittel, thanks to the work of his Quick step team. The 28-year-old is able to fend off a late surge from the Direct Energie man and eventually race to win in a photo finish of four millimetres according to officials, 2 fewer than yesterday's close conclusion.

Sagan claims 3rd to keep the yellow jersey and hopes of a first tour win alive.

So this is how it all looks after stage 4. Sagan in front. 12 seconds behind him is Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe with Alejandro Valerde in third 14 seconds off the pace. Defending champ Chris Froome and Warren Barguil swap places in 4th an 5th.