"All in all, it was a great performance" - Bryan Coquard remains hopeful after finishing fourth on stage 4 sprint at the Tour de France

For the sixth time in his career, Bryan Coquard is currently racing the Tour de France. The diminutive French sprinter has long been determined to grab a stage win at his home Grand Tour and although the wait continues, the signs are positive.

"I finished fourth, while it was not an ideal sprint for me," the 31-year-old told L'Équipe after finishing fourth in the chaotic and crash-marred stage 4 bunch sprint. "My teammates have done very well. I don't know how long Alexis Renard was in the lead, but it was really great. I got to the front a little early. Axel Zingle did his best to come back and help me, because he was a bit further. He fell while trying to turn back. All in all, it was a great performance by the collective."

Jasper Philipsen was again the winner, for the second straight stage but for Coquard, his improvement from 10th on stage 3 to 4th on stage 4 gives the Cofidis sprinter plenty to be positive as his quest for a Grand Tour stage win goes on.

“In a slightly more complicated final, I think I will have every chance," he says confidently. "And as the mountain stages progress, the fatigue piles up and I think I will be fresher compared to the other sprinters."