Cholet, France (My Sportsbook) - Germany's Stefan Schumacher vaulted into first place overall in the Tour de France after winning the Stage 4 time trial on Tuesday. Schumacher completed the 18.3-mile course in 35 minutes, 44 seconds, 18 seconds ahead of Kim Kirchen of Luxembourg and David Millar of Britain. The German took the yellow jersey from France's Romain Feillu, who had the jersey for just one day. Feillu finished 169th out of 178 riders on Tuesday, nearly five minutes off the pace set by Schumacher. Alejandro Valverde, the Spanish rider who relinquished the yellow jersey on Monday, finished 23rd, one minute and 34 seconds behind Schumacher. Aussie Cadel Evans and Switzerland's Fabian Cancellara, considered favorites in the stage, finished fourth and fifth respectively, 27 and 33 seconds behind Schumacher. Another flat course is on tap for Stage 5, so sprinters like Schumacher are expected to fare well, perhaps allowing the German to retain the yellow jersey for another day. |
