The peloton is a bit better organized today, we get a start at KM 0...
AToCStage 4
...and the attacks start right away.
AToCStage 4pelotonattack
Well, it is just one attack, by Rabobank's Lars Boom, which has attracted six others on the way to the Sierra road climb.
AToCStage 4rabobankattack
As the climb starts, the peloton is in perfect formation.
AToCStage 4ZabriskieGarmin
The break is nearing the steeper parts near the top...
...where the escape will break up into several smaller groups.
The lead group is still working well on the descent, though they now number just five, having dropped the two Team Type One riders.
...while behind, the peloton strings out along the twisting road.
AToCStage 4scenerypeloton
At the bottom of the descent, the road widens and the peloton can relax a bit, Dave Z is about to pull over for a natural break...
AToCPetersonStage 4ZABRISKIEGarmin
...while at the front, Lance and Mick joke about attacking the peeing peloton, "I will if you will..." Lance jokes.
AToCStage 4ArmstrongRogers
In a conversational mode, he jokes with Cav, who's looking for another stage win today to help solidify his lead in the Sprinter's competition.
Zabriskie shows proper descending form on one of the rollers before the next climb.
AToCStage 4ZABRISKIE
All seven of Zabriskeie's team are ahead of him; one is screened by Danielson, number 62.
AToCGarmin TransitionsStage 4Zabriskie
As the road slowly meanders up very slow grade...
AToCStage 4pelotonscenery
...Ryan Anderson has become the next victim of the pace set by the leaders. He's looking for fuel to prolong his escape.
AToCAndersonKelly BenefitsStage 4team car
His cookie is soon put to good use... he'll pick up enough points from his efforts to earn the KOM lead at the end of the day.
AToCStage 4AndersonKelly Benefits
Lars is clearly still the animator of the escape, it too will win him some accolades by the end of the day - a stage win perhaps?
The fans have found ways to make it to this area of the course....
AToCStage 4FanHorse
A light rain is now falling as the peloton enters a hairpin turn.
AToCStage 4entire teampeloton
Zabriskie and the peloton snake through a series of turns. *note - if purchased, this print will have white areas as shown above, you can trim to fit your panoramic frame.
Time to load up for the furious run into town, Bak has come to the back during the twisting descent.
AToCStage 4HTC Columbiateam car
Garmin and Liquigas are also back for a last set of bottles for their troops, GC and stage laurels are on the line.
AToCStage 4GarminLiquigagas
Garmin is no longer the only team pushing to catch the escape...
AToCStage 4Wilson
HTC and Liquigas have brought men to the front while Team RadioShack moves forward as well.
AToCStage 4HTC Columbia
As they leave the mountains behind for now, the pace is winding up as they hit the windy flats on the run in to Modesto.
Zabriskie seems to have ensured he'll stay in Gold - the break being reeled steadily in.
AToCStage 4ZabriskieGarmin Transitions
A crash near the back of the field has caused a split - the pace is eased up to allow the riders to re-join.
AToCStage 4peloton
Just after the re-group, Cervelo and RadioShack move to the front...
AToCStage 4CerveloLancasterRadioShack
Soon Lance launches a powerful attack...
AToCStage 4ArmstrongHornerattack
A very select group now has a gap! Voigt, Cav, Mick, Lance, Levi, Zabriskie, Hincapie, Boonen and others are all here.
AToCStage 4escape
The organization only holds for a few minutes but the road has changed direction...
...now into a block headwind, the peloton re-combines to finish the chase for the break.
At the line, it was Francesco Chicchi of Liquigas, firing his six-shooter from his "sherrif" themed bike (there must be a spaghetti western joke in here somewhere) - taking the stage ahead of Haedo and Cavendish.
AToCStage 4liquigaschicchistage winner
Chicchi has sure made his american bike sponsor very happy today.
AToCStage 4chicchiliquigaspodiumstage winner