Tour de France: Kiwi Dion Smith retains climber's jersey on Day Four

  • 11/07/2018
Tour de France
Sprint finish on Tour de France fourth stage. Photo credit: Photosport/Panoramic

Kiwi Dion Smith has retained his polka-dot climber's jersey at the Tour de France, finishing ninth in the 195km fourth stage from La Baule to Sarzeau.

After taking out the opening stage over the weekend, Colombian Fernando Gaviria claimed his second stage win in a sprint finish, out-leaning Croatia world champion Peter Sagan and German Andre Greipel on the finish-line.

Smith was awarded the same finish time, crossing in the bunch and improving to 55th overall.

"It's awesome to see flags and banners on the road-side, and hear my name out there al day," said Smith. "It was pretty amazing - It seems like everyone knows who I am.

"Tomorrow, I'll try and get in the break, which is the first goal, but I 'm sure a lot of guys will be trying too.

"If I make it, I'll try and get as many [King of the Mountain] points as possible."

Frenchman Anthony Perez took the only KOM point on offer for the stage, but the Kiwi retained his jersey by virtue of his higher general classification standing.

The result had little effect on the overall standings, where Belgian Greg Van Avermaet retained the yellow jersey, tied with BMC teammate Tejay Van Garderen at the top, with Briton Geraint Thomas three seconds back in third.

Among the pre-race favourites, Aussie Richie Porte is 51 seconds back in 14th, with four-time champion Chris Froome lurking another four seconds back.

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