Ethan Vernon sprinted to victory on stage four of the Volta a Catalunya on Thursday after extreme winds forced organizers to replace the planned summit finish with a flat stage.

The British rider powered to victory in Camprodon after the climb to Vallter 2000 was removed due to dangerous wind conditions.

The stage, originally designed as a mountain test, instead ended in a bunch sprint after riders were rerouted to a safer finish.

"This is a special race for me, I had my first pro win here and our sponsor is also based here," Vernon said.

"The change calmed everything down, we knew last night and made the plan to come out of the last roundabout in first place and then go for it."

Race leader Dorian Godon of INEOS Grenadiers finished second on the stage, maintaining his overall advantage.

Tom Pidcock Climbs In Volta a Catalunya Standings

Tom Pidcock placed third on the stage and moved up to second overall after collecting valuable bonus seconds.

"There was a massive headwind," Pidcock said. "So it wasn't as easy as all that. But third is good, a few bonus seconds, but it doesn't really matter does it."

The stage had been expected to be the first of three decisive Pyrenean stages, but weather conditions forced organizers to alter the route.

With key mountain stages still to come, riders including Jonas Vingegaard are expected to battle for control of the general classification on Friday and Saturday.

The race concludes with the traditional circuit stage in Barcelona, featuring multiple laps of Montjuïc.