Magnier wins stage four of Tour of Britain

Frenchman Paul Magnier beat British rider Ethan Vernon to the line in a bunch sprint finish to claim stage four of the Tour of Britain on Friday.

Victory for the Soudal Quick-Step rider on the 138.5km route from Derby to Newark-on-Trent was his second of this year's tour after he also won Tuesday's opening stage.

The 20-year-old was led out by his compatriot and team-mate Julian Alaphilippe, the two-time world champion, before surging to victory to regain the lead in the points classification.

Vernon, who rides for Israel–Premier Tech, finished second and Uno-X Mobility's Norwegian Erlend Blikra came third.

The top five in the overall standings is unchanged, with Israel–Premier Tech's Stevie Williams 16 seconds clear of fellow Briton Oscar Onley, of Team dsm–firmenich PostNL.

Stage five of the UK's biggest race moves to Northampton on Saturday before it concludes with stage six, which ends in Felixstowe on Sunday.