The winning escape formed on the Category One Cow & Calf, when Palomares attacked a larger break of 26 riders that had been away since km 60. The Spaniard was joined by Tom Stubbe (Chocolade Jacques) and David Blanco (Duja Tavira) and after the trio crested the climb at 21 km with a 14 second lead, they descended like speed demons and worked well on the flat run-in to Breadord where Paolores was strongest.

Team CSC's Luke Roberts dropped back a spot in the general classification from a second to a third place after the 163 kilometer fourth stage of Tour of Britain from Rother Valley Country Park to Bradford.

Roberts was up front until the final climb, but then three riders escaped and Fuerteventura's Adrian Palomares won the stage and took over the leader's jersey.

"Luke didn't have the strength to tag along, when they made their move, but we didn't realize that Palomares was that far ahead. We were hearing something else on the Tour radio, but that's no excuse though, because Luke wasn't strong enough anyway. He'd used up all his strength defending his position due to attacks from his competition in the general classification," said CSC sports director Scott Sunderland after the stage.

Sunderland also praised CSC's Lars Bak for his efforts in the stage:

"Lars was a great help to Luke out there today. He was really strong so that's very positive. But I don't think we can do much more over here, because tomorrow's stage finishes with a seven percent climb and I'm afraid we don't have anyone, who fits the description for this finish. But of course we'll try our best anyway" finished Sunderland.