(Phil Wrochna is managing editor of firstoffthebike.com and Radio SEN's cycling commentator. He will file Touroscopy for BPL on each day of the Tour.)

If there was ever a rest stage on the Tour de France then Stage 4 might be it. Gone were the cobbles and the tricky descents. Gone too was the 'vibe' that had permeated the peloton. With their cobbled appointment on the cards and each turn of the pedal bringing them closer to their date with their worst cycling nightmare, the bunch had a more optimistic feel about it at the start line. With only 153km to negotiate the group was looking for a regulation day on the Tour de France.

Essentially the day on the cobbles, using part of the route they call the Hell of the North, rattled a few of the riders but also restored the status quo after the bizare neutralised end to Stage 2.

Fabian Cancellara was back in yellow and his Saxo Bank team were the top dogs if one dog short. The departure of Frank Schleck who met a violent end on a seemingly benign left-hander has given the Saxo Bank team a clear leader.

The other conversation around the traps was the performance of Cadel Evan's team. He was delivered beautifully by his BMC racing team and did the rest on his own. In recent years, the team of Cadel Evans has been roundly ridiculed for being sub-standard. This may have changed this year, but the real test will be in the mountains.

But this stage was all about a man many thought was a spent force. Alessandro Petacchi is reliving the dream of early days when he was a dominant force as the No.1 sprinter in the world.

Who's Hot ...

The bunch - A very regulation day on the Tour de France after the carnage of the last few days. Nice to see everyone upright.

Mark Renshaw - The Australian set up the sprint beautifully. After a few stages of disappointment, Renshaw finally had a lead out for his man. He was in perfect position to 'drop off' that man, Mark Cavendish. The only thing that didn't eventuate was the win.

Alessandro Petacchi - The Ale Jet is back! Circa 2007 when the big Italian won four stages, Petacchi is firing with all his old power. Last night was Tour de France win number six.

Who's Not ..

Mark Cavendish - This was a stage for him to get back on top. But the Cavendish engine is misfiring right now. He is not what he has been the last 2 seasons when he terrorised the rest of the sprinters and was nearly unbeatable.

Stage 4 Results

Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre-Farnese Vini 3:34:55

Julian Dean (NZl) Garmin - Transitions

Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky Professional Cycling Team

Robbie McEwen (Aus) Team Katusha

Robert Hunter (RSA) Garmin - Transitions

Sébastien Turgot (Fra) Bbox Bouygues Telecom

Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne

Daniel Oss (Ita) Liquigas-Doimo

Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team

Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) Rabobank

General Classification after Stage 4

Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank 18:28:55

Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky Professional Cycling Team 0:00:23

Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team 0:00:39

Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Transitions 0:00:46

Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Quick Step 0:01:01

Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank 0:01:09

Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team 0:01:19

Alexander Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana 0:01:31

Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana 0:01:40

Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto 0:01:42

Points Classification (Green Jersey)

Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team 80 pts

Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre-Farnese Vini 70

Robbie McEwen (Aus) Team Katusha 62

Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky Professional Cycling Team 56

Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 49

Mountains Classification (Polka Dot Jersey)

Jérôme Pineau (Fra) Quick Step 13 pts

Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Quick Step 8

Rein Taaramae (Est) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne 8

Maxime Monfort (Bel) Team HTC - Columbia 5

Matthew Lloyd (Aus) Omega Pharma-Lotto 4

The Road Ahead ...

Another similar stage ahead for the riders tomorrow. Epernay to Montargis is 187.5 kms: expect a sprint finish and a day of (comparatively) low drama.