Stage 4: Mairena del Alcor > Cordoba, 165kms

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The Vuelta passes through the Andalucian town of Carmona, about ten-kilometres into the stage...

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Sebastian Turgot leads the 'morning' escape towards a five-minute lead..

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It's not often that a neo-pro gets to wear No 1 in a major race - but Valerio Conti does...

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Cedric Pineau is laden down with bottles on such a hot day...

And who's the lucky bearer of this bottle-carrying vest..?

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Massimo Tosatto and Michael Andersen are carrying the bottle-vests for Tinkoff...

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Tom Boonen is carrrying his bottles close to his chest, not on the back like most domestiques...

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Jimmy Engoulvent is leading the escape towards the halfway-mark...

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Orica-Green Edge is already chasing with Sam Bewley leading the way...

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Chad Haga is loading up with ice-cubes for one of his teamates...

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Warren Barguil is Haga's lucky recipient today..!

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Michael Matthews is not yet in need of ice, but some cool water is working well..!

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Lawrence Warbasse gives a water-bottle to Domenik Nerz, he's made a friend for sure..!

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Christian Knees hands a bottle to Dario Cataldo, a lifetime friend for sure..!

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Pineau carries ice-ciubes in a lady's stocking, it's not pretty but very effective..!

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Daniel Teklehaimanot is probably the coolest cyclist out there, but even he needs some water..!

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By any standards, that's a pretty fancy castle on the horizon...

Jonathan Fumeaux is trying to cool off like everyone else today, but his discomfort is obvious...

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Fabian Cancellara cools down with a personalized water-spray, a typically Swiss habit..!

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Carlos Betancur is the first rider to be dropped on the penultimate climb...

Thibaut Pinot has also been dropped, it's not clear why he's even in this Vuelta after such a great Tour de France...

Nicholas Maes swaps wheels with Wouter Poels at the start of the Cordoba circuit...

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Amets Txurruka has replaced Aramendia in front, with only Engoullvent able to stay with him...

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Phillip Deignan leads Sky on the last climb, with Kennaugh and Froome ready and waiting..

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Anacondo Winner attacks over the summit, but he's not yet alone...

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Adam Yates has joined Winner, with Roman Sicard about to...

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Alejandro Valverde lhas joined this escape and leads them towards the final descent...

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George Bennett leads the peloton in pursuit, the stage is not yet won..!

Green Edge is forced to chase Yates, because they don't want Valverde making any gains today..!

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John Degenkolb wins stage four from Reynes and Matthews - and Matthews retains his race-lead...

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