Erik Zabel takes 4th place in Stage 4

Credit Agricole's Thor Hushovd won an exciting final sprint to take the win in stage four of the Tour de France in Joigny.  Erik Zabel was right there, but couldn't get the jump he needed to secure the win.

Hushovd followed Julian Dean, who had been leading the charge, then sprinted for the finish line with 200 metres to go.  He was able to hold off a late charge from Barloworld's Robbie Hunter.  Rabobank's Oscar Freire finished third.  Erik Zabel was in 4th and Danilo Napolitano was in 5th.

Big win for Credit Agricole.

But also a strong performance from Zabel who's been in the front of the pack for this first week of the Tour de France.