Alessandro Petacchi's domination of theTour de France sprint stages took on a new dimension on Friday as he bagged his fourth victory too pull level with illustrious compatriot Mario Cipollini.

Colombian rider Victor Hugo Pena retained the overall leader's yellow jersey, with team-mate and reigning champion Lance Armstrong just one second behind after the 230-kilometre ride from Nevers in blazing sunshine.

World champion Cipollini, whose Domina Vacanze team were not invited to this centenary Tour, must be watching with envy.

For Petacchi, who despite being known in the peloton has only realised his full potential this season, is taking over the Lion King's throne.

Fresh from winning six stages in the Giro d'Italia in June - after which his team pleaded with him to compete on the Tour - Petacchi confirmed his reputation as the world's fastest man at the finish line this year.

Not even a late bout of fatigue was enough to dissuade the speedy sprinter from La Spezia, who, starting 200 and 300 metres back, makes it look so easy.

"Today's win was the most unexpected of all," said Petacchi, who came across the line ahead of up-and-coming Australian Baden Cooke (fdjeux.com) and Italian Fabrizio Guidi (Bianchi).

Petacchi said he was so tired that he signalled to his team-mates only two kilometres before the finish that he was in no shape to contend the mass sprint.

"I even went to see Marzio (Bruseghin) with around two kilometres to go to say I wouldn't be going for it," he said.

"Then Nicola (Loda) told me to get behind him and I stuck on his wheel until the red flag (at one kilometre to go).

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