Lotto's Gianni Meersman won the fourth stage of the Paris-Nice classic this afternoon.
A 183km stage from Brive-la-Gaillarde to Rodez was a day for the climbers with one Category 2 climb and two Category 3 climbs.
Five riders in Jean-Christophe Peraud (Ag2r-La Mondiale), Pierrick Fedrigo (FDJ-BigMat), Leigh Howard (GreenEdge), Luis Angel Mate (Cofidis) and Bart De Clerq (Lotto Belisol) got away with less than ten kilometres gone
Mate took the sprint points at Fangas after 60km and then took points in the King Of The Mountains category by being first over the Côte de Blanquie and the Quotidiane.
The quintet's lead had been four and a half minutes but with fifty kilometres to go, it was down to just over two minutes ahead of a peloton led by Lampre and Rabobank.
With just over 36 kilometres to go, the race which was down a further five riders due to a stomach bug saw Leigh Howard take the three intermediate sprints points on offer.
There was a big crash with 22.3kms to go which took down a number of riders including David Arrayo and was one avoided by race leader Bradley Wiggins who was at the front of the peloton, keeping an eye on Tom Boonen and Levi Leipheimer.
The escapers were brought back as the stage went into its final 20kms.
Thomas De Gendt attacked but was bought back before Simon Gerrans came off his bike after hitting an AG2R rider who had in turn hit a traffic island.
With five kilometres to go, Bradley Wiggins was five back at the front of the peloton just behnd yesterday's winner Alejandro Valverde.
Riders were all over the place at a roundabout on the Cote de Bourran. Andreas Kloden went to the front and tried to get away with less than two to go. He took the sprint points.
The pace was raised. Kloden was engulfed by riders who ended up in a bunch sprint with Lotto's Gianni Meersman taking the win ahead of Grega Bole.
Meersman told Eurosport that he felt pretty good and was happy with the victory.
Nicholas Roche was seventh whilst Bradley Wiggins finished tenth to keep his leaders yellow jersey for another day.