Meyer holds off sprinters at Tour Down Under for win and classification

Tour Down Under 2011: Stage four photo gallery by Graham Watson>>

Garmin-Cervélo's Cameron Meyer held off the sprinters to win at Tour Down Under today in Strathalbyn. His advantage and the time bonus allowed him to take control of the race lead.

"That really suits me, to have a really hard stage finish," said Australia's Meyer. "Just the wind out there, it was always going to be difficult for the peloton to swap off and it was going to be a bit chaotic."

The peloton finished 24 seconds behind Meyer. He formed part of an all-day escape with five others, including his team-mate Matt Wilson and two Vacansoleil riders. With 38 kilometres to race, they held 45 seconds over the peloton led by HTC-Highroad. HTC led for former race leader, Australian Matt Goss.

Meyer now leads the race with 10 seconds over Laurens Ten Dam (Rabobank) and 12 seconds over Goss. Two stages remain: tomorrow's queen stage to Willunga and Sunday's street circuit in Adelaide.

"Australian races are always a little bit different, but I have seven of the most motivate guys here," said Garmin's sports director, Matt White. "Willunga is a pretty predicable stage, there are two difficulties and we know where they are. However, on these open stages, with a lot of winds and climbs, we don't always know - it's the time to make your move."

Garmin's move positioned Meyer to win his first stage race since becoming a professional in 2009. Last year, he finished third overall at the Tour of Oman.

"He's quite a versatile rider, you've seen what he can do on the track, he's a two-time national time trial champion. I really think he is a one-week stage racer, or maybe a three-week stage racer in a few years. Remember, the kid just turned 23 a week ago."

"He is obviously strong, he hung out there all day. He is going to be out there in the front tomorrow in Willunga, but hopefully I can get him in the sprints and at the finish line," said Goss.

Goss won the pre-race criterium and stage one.

"I have a super strong team here and they have been supportive all week, and it will be the same for the next few days. With those guys, we will manage to get the jersey back."

Mark Cavendish, winner of 15 Tour de France stages, is one of the HTC-Highroad guys. Cavendish is limited to retrieving water bottles after his crash two days ago.

"Cav? He was good, he brought us up some bidons. Playing a bit of a different role, and he's doing a good job. It's very nice that he can play leader and domestique," added Goss

"I like to see him hurt when he comes up next to me with a bag full of bidons!"

Cavendish's stitches above his left eye have been replaced with a silver staple. He is in good spirits and said that he plans to finish the race. Besides the staple, he has bruises and scrapes down his left side. He cannot be blamed for looking tired as he said he had trouble sleeping last night.

Results

Tour Down Under 2011, stage four: Norwood to Strathalbyn, 124km

1. Cameron Meyer (Aus) Garmin-Cervelo in 2-57-55

2. Thomas De Gendt (Bel) Vacansoleil-DCM at same time

3. Laurens Ten Dam (Ned) Rabobank at 3secs

4. Matthew Wilson (Aus) Garmin-Cervelo at 10secs

5. Matthew Goss (Aus) HTC-Highroad at 24secs

6. Jose Rojas (Spa) Movistar

7. Ben Swift (GB) Team Sky

8. Jurgen Roelandts (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto

9. Nikolai Trusov (Rus) Katusha

10. Romain Feillu (Fra) Vacansoleil-DCM at same time

Other

24. Geraint Thomas (GB) Team Sky at 24secs

35. Robbie McEwen (Aus) RadioShack at 24secs

85. Lance Armstrong (USA) RadioShack at 41secs

98. Mark Cavendish (GB) HTC-Highroad at 1-00

Overall classification after stage four

1. Cameron Meyer (Aus) Garmin-Cervelo

2. Laurens Ten Dam (Ned) Rabobank at 10secs

3. Matthew Goss (Aus) HTC-Highroad at 12secs

4. Robbie McEwen (Aus) RadioShack at 15secs

5. Andre Greipel (Ger) Omega Pharma-Lotto at 16secs

6. Michael Matthews (Aus) Rabobank at 18secs

7. Ben Swift (GB) Team Sky at same time

8. Blel Kadri (Fra) Ag2r-La Mondiale at 26secs

9. Francisco Ventoso (Spa) Movistar at 27secs

10. Allan Davis (Aus) Astana at 28secs

Tour Down Under 2011: Latest news

Tour Down Under 2011: Cycling Weekly's coverage index

Cavendish feeling well after relentless night

Cavendish plans to fight on despite Down Under crash

Swift benefits from Sky's strength and crashes for first win

Armstrong grumpy Down Under due to new doping allegations

Swift settles into Sky's lead-out role

Cavendish holds fire at Tour Down Under

Cavendish-Greipel duel: Let the fun begin

Sky's Thomas keeping covered Down Under

Armstrong faces questions on doping investigation and 2009 payments

Armstrong in Adelaide: One more time

Tour Down Under 2011: Who will win?

Tour Down Under 2011: Start list

Farrar heads Garmin-Cervelo's Down Under assault

Cavendish to face Greipel Down Under with in-form Goss

Cavendish to start 2011 Tour Down Under

Farrar to ride Tour Down Under

Tour Down Under 2011: Stage reports

Stage three: Matthews takes first pro win

Stage two: Swift avoids crashes to take win

Stage one: Goss takes TdU opener

Cancer Council Classic: Goss wins Down Under opener after Sky crash

Tour Down Under 2011: Photo galleries

Tour Down Under stage four gallery

Tour Down Under stage three gallery

Tour Down Under stage two gallery

Tour Down Under stage one gallery

Cancer Council Classic gallery