Matthew Brammeier flew the flag for Ireland in the breakaway on stage 4 of Paris-Nice.
Four time national road race champion Matt Brammeier has enjoyed a strong show on stage 4 of Paris Nice.
The Dimension Data rider pulled clear in a four-man breakaway that would lead the way for much of the 195.5km stage from Julienas to Romans-sur-Isere.
The Irish international was joined up front by Thomas Voeckler (Direct Energie) Florian Vachon (Fortuneo Vital Concept) and Evaldas Siskevicius (Delko Marseille Provence).
However, with stage 3 having been cancelled due to snow the cat 2 Côte de Saint-Uze 32km from the finish, the main peloton was in no mood to let the escape sail away to victory and kept them to within three minutes at all times.
On the climb Voeckler left his breakaway companions behind as he pressed on hunting for a stage win.
However, the peloton wiped out his lead and of counter attackers Sylvain Chavanel (Direct Energie), Sep Vanmarcke (LottoNl-Jumbo) and Delio Fernández Cruz (Deklo Marseille Provence KTM).
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The stage was decided in a bunch sprint won by Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis) after those out front were caught just before the finish.
Nicolas Roche of Team Sky came home in the main field in 50th place, with Brammeier losing 4:38.
Michael Matthews (Orica-GreenEdge) retained the race lead with three stages remaining.
Stage 4: Julienas to Romans-sur-Isere (195.5km)
1 Nacer Bouhanni (Fra) Cofidis 4:42:29
2 Edward Theuns (Bel) Trek-Segafredo
3 André Greipel (Ger) Lotto Soudal
4 Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Team Katusha
5 Michael Matthews (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
6 Ben Swift (GBr) Team Sky
7 Nikolas Maes (Bel) Etixx - Quick-Step
8 Tony Gallopin (Fra) Lotto Soudal
9 Youcef Reguigui (Alg) Dimension Data
10 Roy Curvers (Ned) Team Giant-Alpecin
50 Nicolas Roche (Irl) Team Sky
113 Matt Brammeier (Irl) Dimension Data 0:04:38
General Classification
1 Michael Matthews (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge 14:24:15
2 Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Team Giant-Alpecin 0:00:14
3 Patrick Bevin (NZl) Cannondale Pro Cycling 0:00:19
4 Jon Izaguirre (Spa) Movistar Team
5 Geraint Thomas (GBr) Team Sky
6 Lieuwe Westra (Ned) Astana Pro Team 0:00:24
7 Dries Devenyns (Bel) IAM Cycling 0:00:25
8 Rafal Majka (Pol) Tinkoff Team 0:00:27
9 Richie Porte (Aus) BMC Racing Team
10 Tim Wellens (Bel) Lotto Soudal 0:00:28
83 Nicolas Roche (Irl) Team Sky 0:04:52
152 Matt Brammeier (Irl) Dimension Data 0:15:41
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