Hello and welcome to Cyclingnews' live coverage of the 102nd Tour de France. Stage 4 sees the riders travel 223.5km from Seraing to Cambrai with racing getting underway at 12:00 local time.
Hello and welcome to stage 4 live coverage of the Tour de France. Today, it's all about the cobbles. For a video preview of the stage, click here
We had our first withdrawals from the 2015 edition of the race yesterday with a mass pile up ending the race for several riders, including Fabian Cancellara who was in the yellow jersey. Click here to find out the list of injured riders
2013 Tour de France champion Chris Froome became the third rider to pull on the yellow jersey at the race yesterday much to his own surprise. You can read his post-stage comments by clicking here
As we countdown to the start of stage 4, have a listen to episode 4 of the Cyclingnews Tour de France podcast by clicking here for reaction from stage 3 and a look ahead to what's expected on the cobbles
It wasn't a great day yesterday for FDJ as the team lost William Bonnet in a the high-speed crash and GC man Thibaut Pinot conceded 1:33 to Chris Froome and is now almost three minutes behind the Sky rider. Here's what the Frenchman had to say after the stage
Team Sky will be riding its Dogma K8-S 'suspension' bikes today at the Tour. We had a close look at Luke Rowe's bike which you can see by clicking here.
Orica-GreenEdge were one the team's hit hardest in yesterday's crash, losing both Simon Gerrans and Daryl Impey to injury. Simon Yates finishing eighth in a rare highlight for the team on an otherwise disastrous day. We spoke to directeur sportif Matt White after the stage and this is what he had to say.
While he may be known as the 'Gorilla', André Greipel has looked more like Kermit the frog recently in the green points jersey aboard a custom painted Noah SL. We took a look at the bike along with some of the more interesting road tech at this year's race which you can see by clicking here
The Netherlands was looking for its first yellow jersey in 26 years via Tom Dumoulin yesterday only for disaster to strike with the Giant-Alpecin rider abandoning the race. Dumoulin had a few words to say after the stage which you read by clicking here
Fabian Cancellara 29th day in the Tour's yellow jersey looks like being his last appearance at the race as the Trek rider was forced to abandon the race with two transverse process fractures in two vertebrae bones in his lower back. Click here for the full details on his injuries.
The Tour de France arrives in France today at kilometre 137, crossing the border at Havay. The peloton will first encounter the only categorised climb of the day - the Côte de la Citadelle de Namur - and one sector of pave in Belgium. Here's the map of stage 4 to look over
And here is the profile of stage 4 for you to look over
The clock has ticked over to midday and the riders have moved into the neutral zone for the start of stage 4
Andreas Schillinger (Bora-Argon 18) is another non-starter today but it is an infection rather than injury forcing the withdrawal
Click here for a full preview, and video, of today's stage including a tactical explainer
Philippe, King of Belgium, cut the ribbon today on the start line for stage 4
Yesterday's stage winner Joaquim Rodríguez has a verbal agreement to stay with Katusha for another two seasons. Dani Moreno is on his way out though. Click here for the full story
Yesterday's stage winner Joaquim Rodríguez has a verbal agreement to stay with Katusha for another two seasons. Dani Moreno is on his way out though. Click here for the full story
The flag has dropped with Lieuwe Westra (Astana) and Thomas De Gendt (Lotto-Soudal) launching an attack. They have been joined by Perrig Quémeneur (Europcar) and Frédéric Brun (Bretagne-Séché Environnement) to create a four-man break
After 4km or racing, the four-man break has established a lead of 40 seconds
The first images of Chris Froome in the yellow jersey have landed
Michael Matthews had a few words with letour before the start of stage 4. Here's what he had to say.
The four leaders have been given the green light by the peloton and are out to a 2"05 minute advantage after 8km or racing. It's the third four-man break we've had in three road stages.
For all things Tour de France, remember to visit our race page for all race reports, photos, news, analysis and tech
The gap keeps on growing and is now out to 3:55 minutes with 11km raced
BMC team boss Jim Ochowicz shared his thoughts this morning on the chances of Greg Van Avermaet having a free role to go for the stage win.
This is the second breakaway of the Tour for Perrig Quemeneur who made it into the stage 1 break.
The new GoPro Hero4 Session is making its Tour de France debut today. Simon Geschke will one of them on his bike today. We have details on the smaller aero version camera which you can read by clicking here
For the first time in this year's Tour de France, the breakaway's advantage has gone out over four minutes
Johan Vansummeren (AG2R-La Mondiale) was one of the riders to fall heavily yesterday, losing a lot of skin. He told letour.com that he didn't sleep very well as a result.
BMC's main man Tejay van Garderen starts stage 4 third on GC, 13 seconds down in Chris Froome. He had a few words to say on how he sees the stage playing out.
There are seven pave sectors today, six of those are in France. Here they are in full;
The break is now out to five-and-a-half minutes after 25km of racing
Peter Sagan is in the best young riders's jersey today
Perrig Quemeneur is the best placed rider on GC in this group but started the day 10:42 minutes down on Froome so this break has been given plenty of freedom as a result.
Stage 4 is the 15th day that Chris Froome has worn the yellow jersey at the Tour de France, a new British record. That puts him level with 1988 champion Pedro Delgado in equal 32nd place on the table of riders to have worn yellow
The four man break are riding off into the sunset, their advantage is out to 7:40 minutes after 37km of racing
The breakaways margin has just tipped over 8 minutes
Chris Froome may have crashed out on the cobbled stage 5 of last year's race but he didn't even get within sight of the first sector. Sky are confident the yellow jersey will still be his by the end of the stage. Click here to read how the team are approaching the stage.
The LottoNL-Jumbo team are looking to deliver Sep Vanmarcke to stage victory today. Click here to find out their tactics for the cobbles
The Tour de France has never finished in Cambrai before although has twice been the host for a stage start. In 2004 José Luis Rubiera won a time trial from the French city to Arras while in 2010 Alessandro Petacchi won the stage to Reims.
In 8km, we will arrive at the sole categorised climb of today's stage, the cat 4 Côte de la Citadelle de Namur.
Yesterday during stage 3 the news came through that MPCC had temporarily suspend Astana. If you missed the news, click here to find the full story
Giant-Alpecin have come to the front with the breakaway on the early slopes of the climb
The one-day GP Wallonia race finishes in front of Namur's citadel which the peloton is fast approaching
Michael Matthews was one of five Orica-GreenEdge riders to crash yesterday but has started stage 4. Click here to see what the Tour debutant had to say this morning
Thomas De Gendt wins the sole KOM point of the day
After 60km of racing, the breakaway's advantage is now 8:25 minutes with the peloton currently on the Namur climb
Austrian champion Marco Haller is struggling at the rear of the peloton
The gap to the breakaway has come down under 8 minutes thanks to the presence of Team Sky on the front of the peloton
The next feature of stage 4 is the intermediate sprint point in Havay at kilometre 135
We spotted a prototype Stages power meter on the race bike of Team Sky's Tour de France hope Chris Froome. Click here to read more
The four-man breakaway has seen its lead cut down to 6:30 minutes with the peloton starting to reel them in as he get closer to reaching France
There are reports that the wind is starting to pick up on the finish line
The advantage of the four riders is back under 6 minutes and dropping
Vincenzo Nibali put in a ride for ages over the cobbles at the 2014 Tour. The GC men will be watching the 'Shark' who is sure to attack and is favoured by having teammate Westra in the break just as he was last year
Along with the Bretagne-Séché Environnement riders, we should see several other riders swap bikes before we start the 7 pave sectors
The riders have been out on the road for two hours now. They have covered 79km at an average speed of 39.4km/h
The advantage of the breakaway is now hovering around the five minute mark
The pace has picked up in the peloton who have quickly shaved over 30 seconds off the breakaway's lead with their advantage down to 4:45 minutes
We are getting the first live pictures of today's stage. Lot's of bandages riders in the peloton today
A reminder of the pave, there is 13.3km in total spread across 7 sectors
With 89km raced and approaching the halfway mark of the stage, the four riders out in front have had their advantage trimmed to 4:17 minutes.
91km covered and the advantage is now under four minutes for the four leaders
Michael Matthews is right at the back of the peloton of the moment
At the front of the peloton it's Team Sky making the biggest contribution to the pace making cutting the lead of the break down to just a tick over three minutes
Chris Froome is neatly tucked in at the back of the Team Sky train. The question is whether he will pass on yellow to Tony Martin and Etixx today in order for Team Sky to save energy for the coming days.
And there's no rain yet but there's talk of late showers coming, with the peloton around 5km from the first section of cobbles.
Nibali, for now is just behind Team Sky, and has two men with him from Astana, Boom and Fuglsang will be key for the defending champoin as Poels sets the pace for the peloton. It's flat out now as we head into the first sector of cobbles.
Froome has moved into second place at the moment, as he looks to keep out of trouble.
And already there are splits at the back of the people. Majka is one rider who is slipping back although we dont know if he has a mechanical problem. The first sector of cobbles is 1.8km in length.
Gallopin is another rider losing ground, Stannard too, both a surprise as we start to see cross winds pick up with 124km to go.
The gap to the break is down to 1'57 and there are a number of groups out on the road now as Team Sky split the field. They're doing it with Astana and BMC is close attendance.
The peloton is starting to come back together but it's totally strung out as Contador moves up, along with van Garderen.
Kelderman is losing ground though, his Tour is getting worse by the day.
Froome is now back on Kennaugh's wheel, with the British champion looking strong at the moment. Cannondale have also moved up as they look to protect their GC interests in the race.
The four leaders are about to hit the first stretch of cobbles, but their lead is down to 1'10.
These cobbles aren't that tough but it's about positioning as we see Etixx now on the front of the peloton.
It's Cavendish leading the peloton for teammate Tony Martin.
The leaders exit the first sector, with a lead of 58 seconds as we see Nibali move close to the front.
Tosatto now sets the pace at the front of the bunch, with Contador a few places further back. The gap to the break is at 54 seconds with 117km to go.
Remember you can subscribe to the Cyclingnews Tour de France podcast, right here.
And with 111km to go Contador has changed his bike, just after the first sector of cobbles.
The peloton have eased and the gap to the break has moved out to 2'06.
Nibali has to jump onto the pavement for a brief moment but he's back in the main field as Richie Porte sets the pace for Team Sky.
The gap continues to grow With Team SKy under no pressure to chase at this sttage.
Uran and Quintana also changed their bikes at the same time as Alberto Contador.
The peloton have now gone through the feedzone with Team Sky still on the front. Westra has now changed bikes as well. He's up the road in case Astana need him later.
Boom has also changed bikes as the pace in the main field slows, the gap to the break up to 3'33.
Westra makes contact with the main break so we're back up to four leaders at the front of the race.
Dry and little wind at this point in the race but theres's talk of showers coming later in the stage. It's still a while until we see the next sector of cobbles. We do have the intermediate sprint coming up soon, however.
Uran had a problem with his bike, having just changed, but he's being moved back to the peloton by a teammate. Uran has gone under the radar so far in the race but is looking strong at the moment.
The gap is down to 2'58 as we see Greipel and Degenkolb move up. CAvendish gives the order for Etixx to do the same and the British rider really needs the points in order to get his challenge for Green up and running.
Bouhanni is also moving up on the left hand side of the bunch with a full quota of Cofidis riders.
We're now expecting rain on the cobbles for later in the stage.
Who are you tippng for today's stage? Let us know on Twitter at @dnlbenson
Coquard is being led out as the break start to contest the sprint. De Gent takes it with Brun second.
Cavendish takes fifth with Greipel two places further back. Nicely done by the Etixx rider who made it look easy.
About another 35km to go until we reach the next sector of cobbles and Team Sky are back on the front of the peloton and setting the pace. Movistar are alongside them.
This morning Astana's Lars Boom said that he and team leader Vincenzo Nibali would ride the first pavé sector on their normal bike. "The cobbles aren't super bad. If that sector goes well we might stay on it otherwise we'll switch to our Roubaix-bike. The penultimate sector might be decisive." Regarding team tactics Boom was clear. "My role is to have Vincenzo on my wheel. We'll try to take time. We've got a tactical plan. We can both win the stage. Unknowingly I'm very motivated because of what happened and because of last year's victory."
There was a crash in the field but everyone appears to be up and running again.
At the front of the peloton we see Dan Martin riding out of trouble, and keeping safe. The Irishman is out of contract at the end of the season.
78km remaining from 223km
Another tangle of wheels with AG2r involved but Vuillermoz has a new bike and his chasing.
The four leaders continue to share the workload with Westra drifting towards the back for now. De Gendt is taking a turn on the front with the gap at 2'55.
The pace is starting to hot up once more with Basso moving Tinkoff to the front and Movistar doing the same. All the GC riders are having to move up and fight for position ahead of the next sector of cobbles.
20km to go until the next sector of cobbles, which is 1200m in length. Paolini his bringing up Kristoff with Porte still on the front for Team Sky - the Australian has been doing a huge amount of work for Chris Froome today.
This morning in Seraing we asked Etixx-QuickStep team manager Patrick Lefevre about yesterday’s tweet in which he put the race neutralization in question. "It’s a dangerous precedent. If tomorrow a rider crashes into a ravine. Will we stop the race?” Lefevre wondered. “I’m the only one who dares to speak out. You saw on TV that in the race Movistar, Astana and Sky wanted to race. The men from Movistar were hindered in a crash in Rotterdam and lost more than a minute. It’s in my character to swim against the tide. It the crash hadn’t been caught by camera’s the race wouldn’t have been stopped. I still wonder when they’re going to stop the race and when they won’t do it.”
Remember you can pick up our latest Tour de France podcast, right here.
The gap is holding at 2'55 with 60km to go.
The wind is picking up and that's why the teams with GC hopes are moving to the front. Nibali, Contador, Quitana and Froome are all near the front.
It looks like a slight headwind at the moment but that could change to a cross wind just before the next sector of the cobbles.
And there's a right hand and this is where the wind will change and the rain is starting to fall as well.
Tinkoff and Team Sky are looking to control the bunch the bunch but it's becoming more and more hectic out there.
And there's a crash in the bunch. Dan Martin is down. Porte is caught up too and the peloton has start to splinter. An Astana rider has come down just now too.
Froome is in the main field but Contador has lost Tosatto to a puncture.
Team Sky are now off the front but Froome is in the middle of the peloton, riding safe.
The break have just one minute left of their advantage though and we're not yet on the second sector of cobbles.
And there's another crash and it's a Movistar rider down.
The road are damp and that's Dowsett down, with a cut elbow. He's getting back on his bike, thankfully.
It's Astana setting the pace now with Nibali in third wheel, the next sector of cobbles just 2km away from the main field.
Froome needs to move up, as we hear that Scarponi was in that Martin crash.
Thomas is looking around for Froome but the race leader needs to move up, and fast.
Onto sector 6 for the four leader, their advantage at 48 seconds.
The rain is falling again but it's only light for now. In some ways that makes it worse as it just makes the road greasy.
And Froome is now moving up and Contador needs to follow suit. The dust is being kicked up, the gap at just 30 seconds.
The World champion leads the bunch onto the sector.
There are splits all over the place and now Vanmarcke leads the peloton.
Etixx now on the front with Tony Martin but the main peloton has been split as they comes through that sector. Where is Contador?
Stannard is with Froome, Nibali is there and Contador.
And Astana takes over the pace as they reach the next section of tarmac.
43km remaining from 223km
Van Garderen is with the favourties as more and more riders rejoin the field. It's at about 60-70 riders.
The next sector of cobbles is just 2km away as we see Contador move to the front.
Cannondale are leading a chase group, where Martin and Talansky may be. Konig is also in that chase group.
As Froome and his team now set the pace, the break about to be caught with 40km to go.
Onto the third from seven sectors with Astana pushing to the front. It's just brutal as Boom goes forward with Nibali on his wheel.
Stybar joins them, so does Van Marcke and Froome is chasing.
And it's Martin who brings it all back together but the race is falling apart under the pressure from Astana. Contador and Froome are both right near the front.
There are still a few spots of rain as we see a few Giant jerseys in there. Contador is sat on Sagan's wheel as we see Quintana in the lead group too.
Back onto the road sections and the peloton is lined out, about 50 riders in the lead group with 38km to go.
Etixx are now on the front with a number of Giant riders there for Degenkolb.
Cavendish is here, so is Rowe, Thomas, Froome, and the other GC favourites. In fact it's Cavendish who is setting the pace right now, for Tony Martin.
BMC are bringing van Garderen to the front of the peloton now too. The world champion is starting to struggle at the back of the peloton though.
Rolland is off the back as BMC set the pace on sector four.
Van Marcke is in second wheel as Astana again take control.
Froome is right on Nibali's wheel.
35km remaining from 223km
As we see Daniel Oss line the bunch out. Griepel is starting to lose ground now.
Barguil is in the lead group, another great ride from him so far today.
Kristoff is off the back and chasing.
Pinot is near the back of the group as BMC carry on at the front with Van Avermaet leading the peloton. Thomas is sticking right next to Froome.
Boassan Hagen is stll there as Contador follows van Garderen.
The second group has already lost 2'35 as we hear that Kristoff had a puncture.
Greipel and Kristoff have made it back to the main field. Pinot and Rui Costa are also there. Rolland has put Europcar on the front of the second group on the road.
LottoNL have put four men on the front but the situation is constantly changing. Dennis is in the second group.
As we see Astana move up, with what's left of their team as we move towards the next sector of cobbles. There are three left.
Peraud is also in the main field but Rui Costa is right at the back. He cant afford to hang around there with the next sector of cobbles fast approaching.
Froome gets a bit of a nudge but he holds it together.
Froome does need to move up though as he lost a few places right there. Contador is near the front as we see Peraud losing ground.
Froome has moved up to Thomas's wheel as we start the next sector. Van Marcke on the front again.
Nibali and Gallopin in a close call but they both stay upright.
And now Nibali sets the pace.
This is causing problems as Nibali, with 25km to go is forcing a split. It looks like Froome, Contador and Quintana have made it and now the bunch is coming back together.
Giant hit the front now with Contador in around 5th wheel.
That section is done, so we have two sectors to go.
23km remaining from 223km
And again Van Marcke sets the pace.
Now it's Bennatti on the front , Mollema is there too.
It's Oss once more with Froome trying to move up.
Pinot is right at the back of the group.
Pinot is in real trouble at the moment and he's starting to lose ground, he has a problem with his bike.
Still Oss on the front with a Tinkoff rider just behind him. Vanmarcke hasnt moved out of the top three for most of the cobbled sectors.
The dust is so thick out there as we see Pinot finally have help from a mechanic. This is a huge blow for his podium chances - the second one in two days.
19km to go and one last sector of cobbles to comes. Most of the GC riders are present and in this lead group.
And now Vanmarcke has punctured.
Tony Martin has a puncture too.
And Pinto has another mechanical. His Tour de France is faling apart on the cobbles.
Martin is on Trentin's bike and he's chasing. Pinot slams his bike on the group, he's furious as IAM set the pace.
Martin and Vanmarcke have rejoined the lead group after a quick chase. Pinot is 2'17 down on the peloton.
14km remaining from 223km
Bouhanni is in the main group too and he has teammates around him.
BMC set the pace onto the final sector of cobbles. It's 2300m in length.
The big four are all in the mix, Valverde too.
Contador is a little further back in the main group but he has his teammates around him, including Sagan.
And again Nibali hits the front and it's a huge turn of speed from the Italian.
Nibali has stretched the field but he can't force a split. Now Stybar has gone clear and he has a gap with 11.1km to go.
Froome is coming over to him with Nibali. Quintana is right at the back of the group.
Contador is not there but Thomas is there.
The cobbles are done with but will Froome be able to put more time into his rivals on the cobbles? Thomas is on the front of the small group that includes Froome.
Contador and a large group are at 10 seconds with Sagan trying to pull it all back together.
Nibali and Valverde are in the front group and Froome has attacked.
Degenkolb is in the first group but it looks like it's all coming back together.
Saxo are trying to bring it all back together. Van Garderen made that front group. 8km to go and Tinkoff Saxo have brought it all back together.
Contador is now right on Froome's wheel.
Quintana, Froome, Contador and Nibali all in the front group of around 35 riders with 7.2km to go. Sagan and Degenkolb are there.
No sign of Cavendish or Bouhanni at the moment. Tony Martin is there. Will he attack?
Rodrgiuez is there. Peraud has made it too.
It looks like Talansky is in the first group too as Thomas lines things out with 5km to go.
It looks like Bouhanni is there. Froome though is second wheel.
Cavendish and Mollema are also in the first group.
5km remaining from 223km
Pinot's group are now at 3'03. Rolland and Kristoff are also in that group.
And with 3.3.km to go Tony Martin has attacked.
Giant and Cofidis have to chase this one down.
Martin has around 50m with 2.7km to go.
Giant have moveed to the front and started to set the pace
2km to go for Martin and he has around a six second gap. Giant have put three men on the front but they're struggling to bring him back.
Martin has less than 1000m to go. He looks sure to take the stage and win yellow after the day.
500m to go as Martin gets out of the saddle as the road gently rises.
He's going to take the stage and the yellow jersey.
Martin takes the stage, Degenkolb second and Sagan in third.
1 Tony Martin (Ger) Etixx - Quick-Step 05:28:58
2 John Degenkolb (Ger) Team Giant-Alpecin 00:00:03
3 Peter Sagan (Svk) Tinkoff-Saxo
4 Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing Team
5 Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) MTN - Qhubeka
6 Nacer Bouhanni (Fra) Cofidis, Solutions Credits
7 Jacopo Guarnieri (Ita) Team Katusha
8 Tony Gallopin (Fra) Lotto Soudal
9 Zdenek Stybar (Cze) Etixx - Quick-Step
10 Bryan Coquard (Fra) Team Europcar
Martin didnt win on his bike, did he? He was still riding a bike from a teammate, Trentin.
Martin now leads the race by 12 seconds from Froome:
Froome hands over yellow to Martin but keeps his advantage on GC over his main rivals intact.
Van Garderen also had a good day and was well protected by his teammates. Nibali tried to split the race at several points but he didn't quite have it, and perhaps the conditions weren't quite tough enough for the Italian, as they had been last year.
Tony Martin:
Trentin: "We decided already in the meeting to be fast to change the bikes because the car for sure, we know from Paris-Roubaix after two or three sectors that the car is lost forever in the field.
Trentin, who gave his bike to Martin before the German's late winning attack: "I wasn’t thinking too much about it because I was riding Tony’s bike and it was really uncomfortable. So I can’t imagine that he could be comfortable on my bike, but I just hope that he doesn’t want to ride my bike for the rest of the Tour."
We already have a report, images and top ten results from today's stage, right here.
In the battle for yellow here's how the GC candidates stack up against one another:
Alberto Contador: "I indeed felt that something was wrong. But I really must thank my (Tinkoff-Saxo) teammates who kept me out of trouble until the end. I had good legs today, much better than yesterday. I'm above all glad to have made it out of it without a problem."
Looking down the list of finishes, Rui Costa lost 51 seconds. Rolland, Kelderman, Pinot 3'23, and Dan Martin over five minutes after his crash.
Thanks for joining us today. You can find our race report, right here, and we'll be back tomorrow for stage 5.
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