Another Fall Mars Minali’s Win

The Tour de France is turning into a danger zone.

Wednesday’s fourth stage was marred by a fall that brought up the role of safety on the roads. This time, a rider and a spectator were injured.

“The falls are more numerous this year and more dangerous than in the past because the speeds are greater,” Jean-Marie Leblanc, director of the Tour de France, said. The fourth stage from Plumelec to Le Puy du Fou, 138.6 miles, was won by Italian Nicolas Minali, who edged Frenchman Frederic Moncassin.

Erik Zabel of Germany, Tuesday’s stage winner, was third, and Mario Cipollini, the overall leader and winner of the first two stages, finished fourth.

Cipollini leads the race by four seconds over Zabel. Chris Boardman of Britain is third.

On Wednesday, Spain’s Vicente Garcia-Acosta sustained a broken collarbone when he fell after bumping into a spectator. Both were taken to a hospital.

Another fall late in the stage hindered some riders, including Alex Zuelle of Switzerland, who is recovering from a broken collarbone from a fell in the Tour de Switzerland.