Intro:

Alexander Kristoff wins stage four of the Tour of Qatar, Britain's Ian Stannard consolidates third place and Niki Terpstra sees his overall lead cut from 11 to six seconds.

Script:

Britain’s Ian Stannard consolidated third place at the Tour of Qatar but Niki Terpstra saw his overall lead cut on a flat fourth stage won by Alexander Kristoff.

Sir Bradley Wiggins meanwhile lost time on the leader for the fourth day in succession, finishing in a third group 17 seconds down on the winner and 12 seconds behind the gold jersey in 81st place.

Norwegian Kristoff claimed his second stage victory of the six-day race by beating Peter Sagan into second place, Nikias Arndt into third and Britain's Adam Blythe into fourth.

Maciej Bodnar is second overall and was the only rider in general classification contention to make it into the front group, meaning his deficit to Terpstra is reduced from 11 seconds to six.

The race continues on Thursday with a 153km fifth stage from Al Zubara Fort to Madinat Al Shamal.