Millar in action in Giro team time-trial

British cyclist David Millar grabbed third in the Giro d'Italia overall standings as he moved up four places after a superb seventh stage display.

The Scot came 11th in the gruelling 222 km stage from Carrara to Montalcino, but gained time on some of his rivals.

Australia's Cadel Evans won the stage and moved into second overall, behind Alexandre Vinokourov of Kazakhstan.

Millar, one minute 29 seconds behind Vinokourov, hopes to become the first Briton to lead all three grand tours.

The Scot wore the Tour de France yellow jersey in 2000 and the Vuelta a Espana's gold jersey in 2001.

Overnight leader Vincenzo Nibali, and second placed Ivan Basso, dropped to fifth and eighth overall after a crash just over 30 km from the end.

Sunday's mountainous eighth stage is likely to further shake up the overall standings.

In last year's Tour de France, Millar finished 85th, over two hours behind the winner Alberto Contador.

Meanwhile Team Sky rider Ben Swift claimed victory on the second stage of the Tour de Picardie to take the lead in the overall standings, ahead of Sunday's final stage.

The 22-year-old Swift, who just lost out to Kenny van Hummel on stage one, took first place on the 186-kilometre stage between Friville-Escarbotin-Belloy to Cires-les-Mello in northern France to give the Briton a 10-second overall lead.

Russell Downing finished third for Team Sky, with Astana's Allan Davis second.

Giro d'Italia overall standings:

1. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kazakhstan/Astana) 24hrs 9mins 42secs

2. Cadel Evans (Australia / BMC Racing) +1:12"

3. David Millar (Britain / Garmin) +1:29"

4. Vladimir Karpets (Russia / Katusha) +1:30"

5. Vincenzo Nibali (Italy / Liquigas) +1:33"

6. Marco Pinotti (Italy / HTC - Columbia) +1:40"

7. Linus Gerdemann (Germany / Milram) +1:48"

8. Ivan Basso (Italy / Liquigas) +1:51"

9. Thomas Rohregger (Austria / Milram) +1:54"

10. Richie Porte (Australia / Saxo Bank) +2:00"

26. Bradley Wiggins (Britain / Team Sky) +8:39"

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