Filippo Ganna put in a huge effort off the front of the breakaway, and then the bunch, to win stage 4 of Étoile de Bèsseges; the Italian living up to a pledge by Ineos Grenadiers to ride in a more exciting manner this year.
However, some of his breakaway companions were clearly annoyed the TV motorbike was so close to him as he powered off the front of that group in the closing kilometres as the peloton closed in.
World TT champion Ganna, who won four stages at the Giro last year, made his move from the day-long breakaway with 8km to go; doing a massive turn off the front to establish a lead.
Behind him, Pierre Latour (Total Direct Energie) was on the front of the breakaway trying to close down the flying Italian and furiously gesturing to the TV moto as he clearly felt it was influencing the race.
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In the end the breakaway Ganna attacked from was caught by the peloton but the Italian rider was able to hold off the bunch and took a brilliant win into Saint Siffret, some 17 seconds ahead of Christophe Laporte (Cofidis), who won the sprint for 2nd.
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Pascal Ackermann (Bora-hansgrohe) was 3rd with Greg Van Avermaet (AG2R Citroën) in 4th place. Race leader, and yesterday's solo stage winner, Tim Wellens (Lotto Soudal) finished in the bunch and retains his overall lead.
The Belgian leads overall by 44 seconds from Edward Theuns (Trek-Segafredo) with Mads Würtz Schmidt (Israel Start-Up Nation) 3rd at 46 seconds with just tomorrow’s final stage TT to come – 11km starting and finishing in Alès.
Ryan Mullen of Trek-Segafredo, the only Irish rider in the race, finished in 57th today at 56 seconds on a day when the field split to pieces and most riders were minutes down. Mullen will get the first indication of his TT racing form in tomorrow's test.
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