Anthony Roux (FDJ.fr) took the win in today's flat fourth stage of the Tour of Burgos to defend his overall lead but he actually didn't cross the line as the first rider.

However, Daniele Ratto (Cannondale), who had narrowly edged him out in the sprint, was relegated as the Italian had pushed the Frenchman into the barrier, almost bringing both riders down in the process.

After the stage, the Frenchman reflected on the events of the day.

"There was wind all day,” he said on the FDJ.fr website, “but my teammates were perfect. I asked Arnaud Courteille to stay near me to put me in the finale which was quite tortuous but Jussi Veikkanen and Cédric Pineau really provided us with safety. They still feel the fatigue from the Tour of Poland in their legs, and it makes it difficult for them to contribute to my race but they do not mind and work really well. In the end, there was a hill with a descent leading to the finish. Arnaud, Benoît Vaugrenard and Laurent Pichon were there. I was replaced by Arnaud before the last corner but 600 meters off the finish line, I was still a bit away from the Italian Ratto (Cannondale), finding myself in seventh or eighth position. I launched my sprint and I came up to Ratto but he packed me into the barriers. It is he who has crossed the line first but I figured he would be relegated and he was. I am very happy to have won and it gives me a great morale before the last final stage tomorrow. I’ll be wearing the leader’s tunic and I will do my utmost to defend it!"