Australia's Graeme Brown (Rabobank) won the fourth stage of the Tour of Germany on Saturday, a 203km leg between Heidenheim and Bad Tolz.

Brown won a tense sprint finish against German duo Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner) and Erik Zabel (Milram), finishing in four hours, 34 minutes and 38 seconds.

The 36-year-old Zabel took the overall lead from Russian Vladimir Gusev (Discovery Channel). Gusev slipped back to second, seven seconds behind Zabel, with German Linus Gerdemann (T-Mobile) third, eight seconds down.

"It was my last chance to take the lead before the mountains," Zabel told Reuters. "I'd have liked a stage win, but leading the race is also very important."

The 27-year-old Brown, meanwhile, was delighted with his victory and said he hoped it would help secure him a team for next season.

"I had a bit of luck near the end as the gap opened up for me and I had the energy to go through and win," Brown said. "I don't have a contract for next year so this win is very important. Perhaps it can help me win a new contract for next season."

Sunday's fifth stage is a 192.1km stretch from Bad Tolz to Seefeld in Austria.