On a day conditioned by rain and cold, Kevin Vauquelin won the fourth stage of the Etoile de Bessèges, from Vauvert to Le Mont Bouquet, 119 km with a mountain finish. A stage however halved due to the weather.

The Frenchman, also favoured by the numerous retirements yesterday when the strongest teams abandoned the race in protest after the appearance of vehicles on the route, preceded Thomas Champion by 25 seconds and Nicolas Breuillard by 41 seconds.

Vauquelin, of Arkea, is the new leader of the general classification. Tomorrow the closing with an individual time trial.