Australia's Graeme Brown won the fourth stage of the Tour of Germany between Heidenheim and Bad Tolz on Saturday. In a tense sprint finish, the Rabobank rider finished ahead of German duo Stefan Schumacher and veteran Erik Zabel to take the 203km stage.
Zabel takes over the overall leader's jersey from Russian rider Vladimir Gusev of the Discovery Channel team.
"I don't have a contract for next season, so it's a very big victory," said Brown.
Zabel said: "It was my last chance to take the lead before the mountains.
"I'd have liked a stage win, but leading the race is also very important."
Tour of Germany stage four result:
1. Graeme Brown (Australia / Rabobank ) 4:34:38"
2. Stefan Schumacher (Germany / Gerolsteiner ) same time
3. Erik Zabel (Germany / Milram ) same time
4. Mark Renshaw (Australia / Credit Agricole ) same time
5. Volodymyr Bileka (Ukraine / Discovery Channel ) same time
Overall standings:
1. Erik Zabel (Germany / Milram ) 18:43:10"
2. Vladimir Gusev (Russia / Discovery Channel ) +7"
3. Linus Gerdemann (Germany / T-Mobile ) +8"
4. Davide Rebellin (Italy / Gerolsteiner ) +14"
5. Inigo Cuesta (Spain / Team CSC ) +17"
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