André Greipel of Team Lotto Belisol won Stage 4 of the 2012 Tour de France, collecting the second stage win of his career and the first for his team in the 2012 Tour. Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre-ISD) and Tom Veelers (Argos-Shimano) were in contention at the line, but Greipel had recieved a picture perfect leadout and was able to secure the win.
A crash with 2.5km left in the stage took out many of the big contenders, including Mark Cavendish (Sky). The World Champion went down in the crash, while Peter Sagan (Liquigas Cannondale) and overall leader Fabian Cancellara (Radioshack-Nissan) avoided the crash itself but were delayed in the resulting pileup. Lotto Belisol was lucky enough to have the members of their leadout train out in front of the crash, and they were able to deliver Greipel to the line for the win.
The GC standings saw no change, with Cancellara still in the lead and 2011 Tour winner Cadel Evans (BMC) holding steady in the top 10.
The General Classification after Stage 4:
1) Fabian Cancellara (Swi) RadioShack-Nissan 20:04:02
2) Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky Procycling +:07
3) Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Omega Pharma-Quickstep
4) Tejay Van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing Team +:10
5) Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky Procycling +:11
6) Denis Menchov (Rus) Katusha Team +:13
7) Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team +:17
8) Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale +:18
9) Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Sharp
10)Andreas Klöden (Ger) RadioShack-Nissan +:19
