Anthony Charteau won the fourth stage over 133 kilometers in the Tropicale Amissa Bongo (Gabon) to keep the overall lead. The Bbox Bouygues Telecom rider won the sprint ahead of Ian MacLeod (MTN) and AG2R's Julien Loubet. MacLeod now trails by 11 seconds in the overall classification. There are two more stages left to race.
Charteau's win added precious seconds of time bonifications to his tally over South African MacLeod, according to L'Equipe. The two overall leaders were lucky to be able to make it to the line ahead of the others. An early break of 12, that formed after 55 kilometers, threatened the lead in the stage between Ndjole and Lambarene. The teams of Charteau and MacLeod were able to reel in the escapees 13 kilometers from the finish.
But an immediate countermove of seven proved to be a tough nut to crack and Charteau and MacLeod had to give it their all to storm past the break in the exciting finale.
Results stage four - Ndjole - Lambarene (133km)
1. Anthony Charteau (Bbox) 3h22'34"
2. Ian MacLeod (MTN) s.t.
3. Julien Loubet (AG2R) s.t.
4. Yohann Gene (Bbox) at 0'10"
5. Nicolas Rousseau (AG2R) at 0'10"
General classification after stage four of six
1. Anthony Charteau (Bbox) 10h53'25"
2. Ian MacLeod (MTN) at 0'11"
3. Julien Loubet (AG2R) at 0'19"
4. Samuel Dumoulin (Cofidis) at 0'39"
5. Amaël Moinard (Cofidis) at 0'57"