Alessandro Petacchi won the fourth road stage of the Tour de France into Reims today.

Team Garmin-Transitions leader Christian Vande Velde has been ruled out of the Tour de France following yesterday’s day of destruction from Brussels to Spa.

Russell Downing of the Pinarello CandiTV team took today’s crucial stage of the Tour of Ireland when he sprinted home first of a 13-man bunch that broke clear with 20 kilometres to go.

Mark Cavendish made it a superb three-in-a-row of stage wins at this year's Tour of Ireland after sprinting home in a thrilling bunch gallop into Galway city.

NORWEGIAN Thor Hushovd edged a tight finish to win the fourth stage of the Tour de France on the 193km route between Villers-Cotterets and Joigny.

Norwegian Thor Hushovd edged a tight finish to win the fourth stage of the Tour de France on the 193km route between Villers-Cotterets and Joigny.

AUSTRALIAN Robbie McEwen stole through to claim a sprint finish win on the fourth stage of the Tour de France in Saint-Quentin yesterday as world champion Tom Boonen held on to the yellow jersey.

Ciaran Power, from Waterford, but representing his Amercan-based team Navigators, was best of the Irish yesterday in Manchester after the first stage of the Tour of Britain.

Ireland's Ciaran Power came 13th in the men's raod race in Athens today.