 Cancellara jumped up from seventh place in the overall standings |
Fabian Cancellara took possession of the Paris-Nice yellow jersey after winning the fourth stage between St Peray and Montelimar on Thursday. The Fassa Bortolo rider edged Jaan Kirsipuu and team-mate Juan-Antonio Flecha into second and third after a sprint finish.
Cancellara completed the 104.5km stage - modified because of bad weather - in two hours 11 minutes and three seconds.
"It really is a team success," said the Swiss cyclist.
"We managed to be three Fassa Bortolo riders in the final group.
"When we were at the last kilometre mark, I had the advantage of having Flecha with me and I managed to beat Kirsipuu on the line.
"After carrying the yellow jersey on the Tour de France, it's a real satisfaction to have won here and earned the leader's jersey. The first part of my season had reallly been difficult. I was sick and in bad condition."
Earlier in the day, Lance Armstrong withdrew from the race because of a sore throat.
Paris-Nice fourth stage results:
1. Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Fassa Bortolo 2 hours 11
minutes 3 seconds
2. Jaan Kirsipuu (Est) Credit Agricole same time
3. Juan Antonio Flecha (Spa) Fassa Bortolo 2 seconds behind
4. Bobby Julich (US) Team CSC 5
5. Nicolas Jalabert (Fra) Phonak
6. Jorg Jaksche (Germany) Liberty Seguros both same time
7. Iker Camano (Spain) Euskaltel 8
8. Nicolas Portal (France) Ag2r 10
9. Paolo Bossoni (Italy) Fassa Bortolo 22
10. Tom Boonen (Belgium) Quick Step 32 Paris-Nice overall standings
1. Cancellara 10 hours 9 minutes 50 seconds
2. Flecha 15 seconds behind
3. Julich 20
4. Boonen 31
5. Dekker 33
6. Vincent Reynes (Spa) Illes Balears 35
7. Arvesen 36
8. Voigt 37
9. Vladimir Gusev (Rus) Team CSC 40
10. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Francaise Des Jeux 47
MMIX
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