Sprinters Gert Steegmans (Quick.Step - Innergetic) and Mark Cavendish (T-Mobile Team) did battle again on Sunday at the end of the 162.1km stage 4 from Cuesmes to Tournai in the Circuit Franco-Belge race. This time, Steegmans came out on top, but both defeated Robbie McEwen (Predictor - Lotto) who ended up third at the end of the slightly uphill finishing stretch on cobblestones.
27 year-old Steegmans also claimed the overall individual and points classifications.
The ambitions of the sprinters were almost thwarted by some late race attacks. Among them was a bold move by Fabian Cancellara (Team CSC) who attacked with five kilometers to go and was caught with just 400 meters to go. Cancellara escaped with Stephen De Jongh (Quick.Step - Innergetic).
"But De Jongh was unwilling to take any leads, because his team had been trying to get Gert Steegmans in position all day. So that was understandable – especially since Steegmans ended up winning the stage as well as the overall victory," said Team CSC Sports Director Scott Sunderland after the race according to team-csc.com.
"This morning we'd thought about letting a breakaway go to then control the race with me arriving at the sprint with the idea of looking for a victory over Cavendish who had my same time," said a victorious Steegmans after the race.
"This is a final part of the season for me and I really owe a lot to my team-mates who were at my complete disposal," finished Steegmans. "My next objective now is next Sunday's Paris Tours. Winning that race would just finish off my season perfectly."