Arnaud Molmy (Roubaix-Lille Metropole) has won the fourth stage of the Etoile de Bessèges in Alès, but only after the disqualification of Samuel Dumoulin (Cofidis), according to wielermagazine.com. Matthieu Lagadnous (la Française des Jeux) was second and Pieter Ghyllebert (An Post-Sean Kelly) was third.
The stage was dominated by a 60km breakaway from a five-man group consisting of: Johnny Hoogerland (Vacansoleil), Jonathan Hivert (Saur-Sojasun), Pierrick Fedrigo (Bbox Bouyes Telecom), Irish champion Nicolas Roche (AG2R) and Ladagnous.
The breakaway group was pulled in by the peloton with around 3km to go and Dumoulin proved the fastest of the sprinters. After a protest though, the Cofidis rider was judged to have sprinted irregularly and the victory was awarded to Molmy. This comes after his third place on stage 1 and second place on stage 2.
It was a double victory for the 21-year-old Frenchman as time bonuses on the line mean that he takes the overall race lead from Borut Bozic, who has held it since winning the first two stages.
Results for stage 4
1. Arnaud Molmy (Fra) Roubaix-Lille Metropole
2. Matthieu Lagadnous (Fra) la Française des Jeux
3. Pieter Ghyllebert (Bel) An Post-Sean Kelly
Standings after stage 4
1. Arnaud Molmy (Fra) Roubaix-Lille Metropole