France’s Romain Gregoire won the fourth stage of the Tour of Britain to move top of the general classification.The 22-year-old Groupama-Fdj rider edged out compatriot Julian Alaphilippe, who he overtook on the 100m uphill finish in the 186.9km stage then managed to keep his nose in front.Gregoire crossed the line in four hours six minutes and 18 seconds, ahead of second-placed Alaphilippe with Italy’s Edoardo Zambanini in third.Britain’s Sam Watson had been in the lead with half a kilometre to go in the longest stage of the tour, from Atherstone to Burton Dassett Hills Country Park, but was outpaced by Alaphilippe and Gregoire and eventually finished 15th.Gregoire is now two seconds clear at the top of the overall standings, with Britain’s Matthew Brennan in second, and does not plan to give the green jersey up easily with two stages of the race left.”When you have a jersey like this you have the motivation to battle for it and that’s what I’m going to do,” Gregoire said.”The atmosphere in the final climb was really good, really happy to win in front of the British crowd. It was a really big achievement for me.”Saturday’s fifth, and penultimate, takes place in Wales with a 138.73km route from Pontypool to The Tumble.
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Tour of Britain: Romain Gregoire wins fourth stage to lead the general classification
