Tearful Farrar and Leopard-Trek lead riders across stage four finish line

The peloton processed in a steady and sombre fashion through the Italian countryside today, mourning the loss of Wouter Weylandt and showing their respect for their colleague.

Leopard-Trek took to the front inside the last five kilometres of the stage and rode with Garmin-Cervelo's Tyler Farrar, Weylandt's best friend, several bike lengths ahead of the rest of the field.

The teams had agreed before the race that each would ride 10km at the front

of the bunch, allowing Weylandt's Leopard-Trek team-mates to lead the race

across the finishing line together.

They crossed the line arm-in-arm, many crying behind their sunglasses, and were met by a respectful silence from the crowds gathered at the finish.

The tour's jersey holders lined up behind them, with David Millar leading the rest of the field over the line.

The riders wore black armbands and a minute's silence was observed before the stage left Quarto del Mille this morning. Weylandt's pregnant girlfriend An-Sophie De Graeve attended the tribute at the start.

Weylandt lost his life after crashing on the descent of Passo del Bocco 25km before the end of Monday's stage three.

Spectators lined the roads with their own tributes to Weylandt

Fans hold up the number 108, Weylandt's Giro race number

Race leader David Millar

Wouter Weylandt's Leopard-Trek team and his close friend Tyler Farrar cross the line in unison at the end of stage four

Related links

Giro d'Italia 2011 stage four photo gallery

Millar organises tribute to Weylandt, Farrar heads home from Giro

Tuesday's Giro stage in memory of Weylandt

Giro d'Italia to continue despite Weylandt tragedy

Giro doctor describes actions to save Weylandt

Wouter Weylandt killed in Giro d'Italia crash