CORDOVA, Spain: Australian rider Michael Matthews remains the overall leader of the Tour of Spain after Germany’s John Degenkolb won Tuesday’s fourth stage, a 164.7-km ride from Mairena del Alcor to Cordoba.

Degenkolb, second in this year’s Paris-Roubaix one day classic, crossed the line ahead of Spaniard Vicente Reynes with Matthews in third after a fiercely-contested sprint finish.

Matthews, who won two stages in the race last year, took the overall lead after winning Monday’s third stage.

The 23-year-old — who is racing the Vuelta as an after thought after he missed his main target Tour de France this year having suffered a hand injury just prior to it — leads two of the race favorites Nairo Quintana of Colombia and Alejandro Valverde in the overall standings.

Wednesday’s fifth stage is a 180km ride from Priego de Cordoba to Ronda.