Sir Bradley Wiggins admitted his Tour of Britain title hopes are looking slim after Michal Kwiatkowski seized the race lead by stealing a stunning stage-four victory in Bristol.
Poland's Kwiatkowski won the sprint for the line at the end of the 184.6-kilometre route from Worcester to claim a time bonus and take the yellow jersey by three seconds from Edoardo Zardini.
Wiggins, the defending Tour of Britain champion, is now sixth and 27 seconds adrift of Kwiatkowski heading into stage five.
And the London 2012 gold medallist is being realistic about his chances of becoming the first-ever back-to-back Tour of Britain winner.
"I'm still up there but on paper first place has gone now,” Wiggins said.
"I can't see myself getting 27 seconds on Kwiatkowski, but the podium is only 12 seconds away.
"He only has to have a puncture in the time trial. I wouldn't say the GC (general classification) is over because finishing up there as the defending champion is important."
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