Tour de France: Alessandro Petacchi wins fourth stage, Lance Armstrong finishes in lead pack

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Alessandro Petacchi has won the fourth stage of the Tour de France in a mass sprint, with Lance Armstrong and other contenders finishing in the pack.

The Italian collected his second-stage win this year in the mostly flat 95.4-mile ride from Cambrai, France, to the Champagne capital of Reims, France, on Wednesday.

Overall leader Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland also crossed in the main pack and appeared set to retain the yellow jersey.

Seven-time champion Armstrong also finished safely a day after losing time because of a punctured tire.

Results from the 153.5-kilometer (95.4-mile) fourth stage from Cambrai to Reims:

1. Alessandro Petacchi, Italy, Lampre-Farnese, 3 hours, 34 minutes, 55 seconds.

2. Julian Dean, New Zealand, Garmin-Transitions, same time.

3. Edvald Hagen Boasson, Norway, Sky Pro Cycling, same time.

4. Robbie McEwen, Australia, Katusha Team, same time.

5. Robert Hunter, South Africa, Garmin-Transitions, same time.

6. Sebastien Turgot, France, Bbox Bouygues Telecom, same time.

7. Jose Joaquin Rojas, Spain, Caisse d’Epargne, same time.

8. Daniel Oss, Italy, Liquigas-Doimo, same time.

9. Thor Hushovd, Norway, Cervelo Test Team, same time.

10. Oscar Freire, Spain, Rabobank, same time.

11. Gerald Ciolek, Germany, Team Milram, same time.

12. Mark Cavendish, Britain, Team HTC-Columbia, same time.

13. Brent Bookwalter, United States, BMC Racing Team, same time.

14. Samuel Sanchez, Spain, Euskaltel-Euskadi, same time.

15. Vasil Kiryienka, Belarus, Caisse d’Epargne, same time.

16. Cadel Evans, Australia, BMC Racing Team, same time.

17. Sandy Casar, France, Francaise des Jeux, same time.

18. Thomas Lovkvist, Sweden, Sky Pro Cycling, same time.

19. Geraint Thomas, Britain, Sky Pro Cycling, same time.

20. Carlos Barredo, Spain, Quick Step, same time.

Overall Standings (After fourth stage)

1. Fabian Cancellara, Switzerland, Team Saxo Bank, 18 hours, 28 minutes, 55 seconds.

2. Geraint Thomas, Britain, Sky Pro Cycling, 23 seconds behind.

3. Cadel Evans, Australia, BMC Racing Team, :39.

4. Ryder Hesjedel, Canada, Garmin-Transitions, :46.

5. Sylvain Chavanel, France, Quick Step, 1:01.

6. Andy Schleck, Luxembourg, Team Saxo Bank, 1:09.

7. Thor Hushovd, Norway, Cervelo Test Team, 1:19.

8. Alexandre Vinokourov, Kazakhstan, Astana, 1:31.

9. Alberto Contador, Spain, Astana, 1:40.

10. Jurgen Van Den Broeck, Belgium, Omega Pharma-Lotto, 1:42.

11. Nicolas Roche, Ireland, AG2R La Mondiale, same time.

12. Johan Van Summeren, Belgium, Garmin-Transitions, 1:47.

13. Denis Menchov, Russia, Rabobank, 1:49.

14. Bradley Wiggins, Britain, Sky Pro Cycling, same time.

15. David Millar, Britain, Garmin-Transitions, 2:06.

16. Roman Kreuziger, Czech Republic, Liquigas-Doimo, 2:24.

17. Luis-Leon Sanchez, Spain, Caisse d’Epargne, 2:25.

18. Lance Armstrong, United States, Team RadioShack, 2:30.

19. Thomas Lovkvist, Sweden, Sky Pro Cycling, 2:34.

20. Jose Joaquin Rojas, Spain, Caisse d’Epargne, 2:35.

-- Associated Press