Norwegian world road champion Thor Hushovd has won stage four of the Tour of Britain from Welshpool to Caerphilly.
The Garmin Cervelo rider edged out overall race leader Lars Boom of the Netherlands in a sprint finish.
Despite finishing outside the top 10, Welshman Geraint Thomas was in the lead group and moved up to second overall.
The Olympic team pursuit champion trails Boom by 12 seconds ahead of stage five from Exeter to Exmouth.
Thomas said afterwards: "It was great to be back racing in Wales. It was a tough stage with fine weather. The aim for the team was to attack and put Lars Boom and Rabobank under as much pressure as possible. Tactically we wanted to ride with a high tempo again.
"We just tried to go as fast and hard as possible at Caerphilly hill. I went quite deep at the foot of the climb when Steve went to test Lars. Unfortunately he stayed with me and it was a bit of cat and mouse all the way up the hill.
"The run-in at the finish had a tight corner with 200 metres to go. I don't have the kick of a Hushovd or Boom so I tried to get into that final corner first to get a bit of an advantage and momentum.
"Unfortunately, Thor just sneaked ahead and took the racing line. It was nothing illegal, just racing, but I lost my speed and that was race over."
Stage Four, Welshpool to Caerphilly
1) Thor Hushovd (NOR/Garmin Cervelo) 4h 32m 22s
2) Lars Boom (NED/Rabobank) same time
3) Cesare Benedetti (ITA/NetApp) same time
4) Ian Bibby (GBR/Motorpoint) same time
5) Boy Van Poppel (NED/UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling) same time
Overall General Classification:
1) Lars Boom (NED/Rabobank) 12h 36m 51s
2) Geraint Thomas (GB, Sky Procyling) +12s
3) Boy Van Poppel (NED/UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling) + 14s
4) Ian Bibby (GBR/Motorpoint) + 19s
5) Linus Gerdemann (GER/Leopard Trek) same time
TOUR OF BRITAIN STAGES
Stage one: Peebles-Dumfries, 11 September
Stage two: Kendal-Blackpool, cancelled, 12 September
Stage three: Stoke, 13 September
Stage four: Welshpool-Caerphilly, 14 September
Stage five: Exeter-Exmouth, 15 September
Stage six: Taunton-Wells, 16 September
Stage seven: Bury St Edmunds-Sandringham, 17 September
Stage eight: London, 18 September
