New Zealander Jack Bauer has continued his good form in the Tour of Britain, retaining his fourth place overall after stage four overnight and showing a willingness to attack race leader Bradley Wiggins.
Bauer's attack with Garmin Sharp teammate Daniel Martin at the top of Pen-y-Pass in north west Wales gained him a few seconds but a headwind blowing up the descent forced him to halt hostilities.
Bauer had started the day following an excellent third place in the stage three time trial, finishing 42 seconds behind Wiggins, who scorched the 16km circuit in 19min 54sec.
Wiggins, who was unable to defend his Tour de France title this year due to illness, was determined to make his mark in the stage, which was held only 20km from his Wigan home, and pushed it to the limit despite the wet conditions.
The stage victory for Wiggins, a time trial specialist, gave him the overall race lead and it is one he is unlikely to relinquish. With four stages to go, Wiggins holds a 37-second lead over Sky teammate Ian Stannard and a 47-second lead over third-placed Martin Elmiger. Bauer is 55 seconds in arrears.
