Dutch rider Poels takes the victory on Stage 4 of Tour of Britain following announcement of inclusion in national team at Melborne

After a shaky start to the day that saw the peloton struggle to maintain a momentum that would not descend into chaos and anarchy as they headed over Exmoor in their fractured state, the Dutch rider Wout Poels took the stage victory in a calculated move against the disadvantaged HTC-Columbia team.

Knowing the terrain was not suited to the likes of Renshaw and Greipel whose sprint capabilities make them more suited to a less undulated route, the Dutchman worked hard with Dan Martin as part of a six man breakaway who stole away early on.

However the Dutchman and his team mates forgot to factor in German rider Tony Martin who lead his man Albasini up and over the climbs to hang on to the overall lead for another 24 hours.

With the main group of 70 riders facing an arduous chase-down and organisation failing to emerge, frantic calls from race organisers threatened to cause chaos and controversy in equal measure.  With the Brits being out-shone and out-riden in this years race, panic in the British organisers' camp who were unsure of how long they could keep the roads closed for the race.  But knowing two-thirds of the riders could not be disqualified under the time limit rules, the peoloton held firm in their control of the race.

With Dan Martin attacking at every possible opportunity he paid the price in the last 10km when he was out witted by Poels on the final climb.  Putting to the back of his mind news from the day before of his inclusion in the Dutch team for the World Championships in Melborne on October 3rd, he made his calculated move and was rewarded with the stage victory.

Stage 5 sees the race travel from Tavistock to Glastonbury.