Cycling: Alaphilippe Into Paris-Nice Lead After Big Win

BEAUJEU, France, March 8, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 08th Mar, 2017 ) - Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe claimed a dominant victory on the fourth stage of the Paris-Nice race on Wednesday and seized the overall lead.

The Quick Step rider finished 19 seconds ahead of Spain's Alberto Contador at Mont Brouilly, near Lyon, in the 14.5km time-trial that began in Beaujeu and ended with a 3km climb over the vineyards of the Beaujolais.

Tony Gallopin came third on the day and is up to second in the overall standings, 33 seconds behind Alaphilippe. Contador is now 1min 31sec off the pace. Alaphilippe's win was the second for a Frenchman since the race began on Sunday.

The 24-year-old, who came fourth in the Rio Olympics road race last year, had never previously won a major time-trial. Thursday's fifth stage will take the peloton 199.5km from Quincie-en-Beaujolais to Bourg-de-Peage.