Tour de France 2010: Mark Cavendish beaten by Alessandro Petacchi

Mark Cavendish took his eye off the game today to allow Lampre's Alessandro Petacchi to storm through and win the 153.5km fourth stage of the Tour de France. With 3km to go to the finish in Reims the peloton, riding at speeds approaching 70kph, caught an escape group comprising four riders. With Tony Martin organising the HTC team at the front to set up the sprint for Cavendish, the peloton stretched out on the approach to the finish. Cavendish looked to be in an excellent position, locked on to the wheel of the team's lead-out man, Mark Renshaw, but the Isle of Man sprinter sat up too soon and faded. Petacchi came through and was challenged by the three-times green jersey winner Robbie McEwen, but the Italian held on for his second stage win on this Tour. New Zealand's Julian Dean was second and Norway's Edvald Boasson Hagen third. The Swiss Fabian Cancellara retained the yellow jersey of overall leader. The Welshman Geraint Thomas finished 19th, retaining the white jersey of best young rider, with Bradley Wiggins 20th. Cavendish will be hoping for better luck on tomorrow's mostly flat 187km stage from Epernay to Montargis.