Greg Henderson knocked around in Tour de Wallonie

Henderson did not have a lot to smile about today ©RoadCycling.co.nz (file)

Stages 3 and 4 of this UCI2.HC Belgian tour had profiles perfect for bunch sprints. Yesterday, Daniele Bennati (Leopard Trek) took the victory and today Robbie McEwen (RadioShack) won his first stage of the season.

Henderson was 4th yesterday after finding himself in a less than perfect position coming off the last corner, and today he had to let another teammate go for stage honours.

Soon after today's 3rd interim sprint, just 50km into the 151.6km stage, Henderson was caught up in a ten rider crash.

Team Sky Sports Director Steven de Jongh said they had three riders affected; Henderson, Michael Barry and Serge Pauwels.

"We had a few guys caught up in the crash and unfortunately Serge was in there. It is his first race back after he broke his elbow. He has hurt a bit which is a worry but we will take a decision tomorrow morning. It is really disappointing for him and so unlucky," he said on TeamSky.com

"Michael is okay but Greg hurt his knee and his elbow was also a bit bruised so he was not an option for the sprint. Jez [Jeremy Hunt] tried for the bunch kick but it was too bad for Greg who was going well. After his crash he was in a bit of pain."

After three 17km finishing circuits it was Jesse Sergent's RadioShack teammate Robbie McEwen who took the victory.

"The guys did a really good job staying in the front and keeping myself and Manuel Cardoso out of the wind and up where we needed to be," McEwen said of his teammates.

McEwen took Bennati's wheel on the lead out of Leopard-Trek and when the Italian faded, the Australian launched. Sergent finished safely in the front bunch.

Tomorrow is the final stage of the tour and two riders sit on exactly the same time at the top of the General Classification. Joost Van Leijen (Vacansoleil) was in the yellow jersey today, but Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) worked hard to earn interim sprint time bonuses and move into into the yellow jersey for the final stage thanks to his stage finish placing.

The final stage is 154km and includes three ascents of the Mur de Thuin, a steep, half-kilometre cobblestone climb.