Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team rider Tony Martin, winner of the first two editions of Tour of Beijing, did his best in the 150.5km fourth stage to try and get a victory, and perhaps another GC lead, on Monday. He trailed in the overall by just 20" going into the stage.
However, the finale on Mentougou Miaofeng Mountain (Category 1, 12.6km, 5.7% average gradient) came down to a group of about 13 riders, and it was the attack by Benat Intxausti (Movistar) that proved to be the winning move.
Intxausti won solo, with Dan Martin (Garmin-Sharp) placing 2nd and David Lopez (Sky ProCycling) finishing 3rd. Tony Martin placed 6th.
OPQS riders Zdenek Stybar and Stijn Vandenbergh were also in a breakaway, but the breakaway was down to just Vandenbergh before he was also caught with 15km to go in the stage.
OPQS looks next to a final, flat 5th stage on Tuesday.