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RACE REPORTS: PARIS-NICE STAGE 4: VANDE VELDE WINS BIG
Road Bike Action & AFP
March 11, 2009
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Vande Velde at the 2008 Giro d'Italia
(Photo: Roberto Bettini)
American Christian Vande Velde, riding for Garmin, won the fourth stage of the Paris-Nice on Wednesday, a 173.5km ride from Vichy to Saint Etienne. Sylvain Chavanel of France, riding for Quick Step, retained the overall lead.
Vande Velde, who finished fifth in last year's Tour de France, broke away from the rest of the field to finish 15-seconds ahead of a group containing Spanish pre-race favorite Alberto Contador of the Astana team. France's Jonathan Hivert finished second behind the 32-year-old American, just ahead of the Italian Mirco Lorenzetto in third.
One day after taking over the yellow jersey, Chavanel lost 30 seconds on some of his main rivals, including Contador, after being outpaced in the final climb. In the overall standings, Chavanel has a lead of just six seconds over Spain's Juan Manuel Garate, with Contador 36 seconds off the pace in fourth. Chavanel reported afterwards it had not been easy over the closing stages. "I suffered at the end," he said. "But looking at my average heart rate of 155 during the stage, I now know why! I was really happy to keep the yellow jersey particularly out of respect for my teammates. It's great to have another day in yellow. I'll try to save myself as much as possible and to recover properly from day to day. Even if I eventually lose this jersey I will try to win a stage at least."
Thursday's fifth stage is a hilly 204km ride between Annonay and Vallon-Pont-d'Arc.
67th Paris-Nice, March 8-15, 2009
Stage 4, Vichy to Saint Etienne: 173.5km
March 11, 2009
1. Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin - Slipstream 4.01.31(43.10 km/h)
2. Jonathan Hivert (FRA) Skil-Shimano at 14sec
3. Mirco Lorenzetto (ITA) Lampre - NGC s.t.
4. Christophe Moreau (FRA) Agritubel s.t.
5. Jens Voigt (GER) Team Saxo Bank s.t.
6. Amaël Moinard (FRA) Cofidis s.t.
7. Jakob Fuglsang (DEN) Team Saxo Bank s.t.
8. Maxime Monfort (BEL) Team Columbia - Highroad s.t.
9. Fränk Schleck (LUX) Team Saxo Bank s.t.
10. Juan Manuel Garate (SPA) Rabobank s.t.
General Classification After Stage 4
1. Sylvain Chavanel (FRA) Quick Step 13.31.36
2. Juan Manuel Garate (SPA) Rabobank at 6sec
3. Juan Antonio Flecha (SPA) Rabobank at 36sec
4. Alberto Contador (SPA) Astana s.t.
5. Kevin Seeldrayers (BEL) Quick Step at 37sec
6. Luis-Leon Sanchez (SPA) Caisse d'Epargne at 45sec
7. David Millar (GBR) Garmin - Slipstream at 50sec
8. Antonio Colom (SPA) Team Katusha at 55sec
9. Vladimir Karpets (RUS) Team Katusha at 57sec
10. Jens Voigt (GER) Team Saxo Bank at 1.03
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