Tour de France - stage four

1. Wout van Aert (Bel/Jumbo-Visma) 4hrs 01min 6 sec

2. Jasper Philipsen (Bel/Alpecin-Deceuninck) + 8 secs.

3. Christophe Laporte (Fra/Jumbo-Visma) Same time

4. Alexander Kristoff (Nor/Intermarche) Same time

5. Peter Sagan (Svk/TotalEnergies) Same time

6. Luca Mozzato (Ita/B&B Hotels) Same time

7. Danny van Poppel (Ned/Bora-Hansgrohe) Same time

8. Hugo Hofstetter (Fra/Arkea-Samsic) Same time

9. Michael Matthews (Aus/BikeExchange-Jayco) Same time

10. Benjamin Thomas (Fra/Cofidis) Same time

1. Wout van Aert (Bel/Jumbo-Visma) 13hrs 02mins 43secs

2. Yves Lampaert (Bel/Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl) +25secs

3. Tadaj Pogacar (Slo/UAE Team Emirates) +32secs

4. Mads Pedersen (Den/Trek-Segafredo) +36secs

5. Mathieu van der Poel (Ned/Alpecin-Deceuninck) +38secs

6. Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Jumbo-Visma) +40secs

7. Primoz Roglic (Slo/Jumbo-Visma) +41secs

8. Adam Yates (GB/Ineos Grenadiers) +48secs

9. Stefan Kung (Swi/Groupama - FDJ Same time

10. Tom Pidcock (GB/Ineos Grenadiers) +49secs

Van Aert's Jumbo-Visma team-mate Christophe Laporte, freed from his usual role as lead-out man, sprinted to third place ahead of Alexander Kristoff and Peter Sagan. Taking those points from his potential rivals will help van Aert in the Green Jersey competition.

Last year, Wout van Aert won a mountain stage on Mont Ventoux, a time trial and a bunch sprint on the Champs-Elysees.

For most people, that'd be pretty hard to beat.

By riding away from the entire field - including all the GC contenders - to win a stage in the Yellow Jersey, he might just have done it.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Yellow Jersey and stage winner Wout van Aert was just asked if he was sick of being beaten by a bunch sprint and replied with a smile: "I didn't want to take the risk anymore."

He flapped his arms before punching the air at the line and explained his celebration by saying "this jersey gives you wings".

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

Wout van Aert's win today means he extends his overall lead in the Yellow Jersey - he's now 25 seconds clear.

What a way to finish the stage that was. Wout van Aert had three second-places from the Tour before today, but now he has that win to go with his yellow jersey, after attacking on the final climb.

Poor old Jasper Philipsen is probably regretting his celebration by now...

Jasper Philipsen wins the bunch sprint behind Van Aert - and he thinks he has won the stage. He'll soon find out what really happened.

Wout van Aert punches the sky as he crosses the line. A superb victory.

This is incredible by Van Aert. A brilliant ride. That last climb was his chance and his plan worked to perfection. They are not going to catch him now...

Doesn't look like Wout van Aert will finish second today then... still work to do though!

The gap is 20 seconds.

The gap is coming down but Wout van Aert is still 25 seconds clear. His team-mates are sitting at the front of the bunch, trying to slow everyone down.

Wout van Aert has won five stages at the Tour de France so far - two in 2020, and three last year - but attacking from the front to win in the Yellow Jersey would be something really special.

Van Aert is now 27 seconds clear, and his lead is getting bigger. The big hitters in the General Classification are together in a bunch behind him, but they are not looking like they are going to chase him down.

The cross tail-wind played absolute havoc there as it came in off the Channel. How are these teams chasing Van Aert going to organise themselves from here?

The Belgian is now 18 seconds clear. It's pretty chaotic behind him.

Wout van Aert has gone out on his own. He's opened up an 11 second gap and is flying.

The peloton has been scattered.

There are suddenly gaps all over the road. Geraint Thomas is up there near the front, but Wout van Aert is clear as they go up this final climb.

Jumbo-Visna also going hard.