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UCI ProTeam Etixx-Quick Step cyclist Tony Martin won the fourth stage of Tour de France pipping Christopher Froome to take the coveted yellow jersey. The German, who is a time-trial specialist, made it 5 career stage wins with victory at Cambrai.
The 30-year-old finished a healthy 3 seconds ahead of fellow German John Degenkolb. Slovakian youngster Peter Sagan finished 3rd to round off the podium finishers of the 223.5 km stage. Belgian Greg Van Avermaet, riding on the BMC, and Norway’s Edvald Boasson-Hagen of MTN-Qhubeka rounded off the top 5.
Martin took advantage of a lull at the stage, known for its dangerous cobblestones, and now leads the overall classification by 12 seconds. Overnight leader, Team Sky’s Froome is second with a time of 12:40:38 while Tour challenger Alberto Contador is in 8th position, 36 seconds behind Froome.
The German’s victory in the fourth stage was in doubt when his cycle got punctured 18.5 kms from the finish. However, teammate Matteo Trentin gave Martin his bike and he finished the rest of the stage in spectacular fashion.
He admitted that he had lost all hope after he was forced to switch bikes, saying he was ready to focus on the next stage. He revealed that he truly started to believe he could win it with just 5 kilometers to go and gave it his all for the subsequent stretch.
Being a part of the leading group which involved Froome, Tejay Van Garderen, Tony Gallopin, Van Avermaet, Contador, Vincenzo Nibali, Nairo Quintana, Romain Bardet and Michael Schar, the 30-year-old “went full gas” and emerged as the victor.
The Tour now moves to the 5th stage which will be from Arras Communaute Urbaine to Amiens Metropole – a 189.5 km stretch.
Stage 4 standings:
- Tony Martin – 05:28:58
- John Degenkolb – +3 seconds
- Peter Sagan – +3 seconds
- Greg Van Avermaet – +3 seconds
- Edvald Boasson-Hagen – +3 seconds
- Nacer Bouhanni – +3 seconds
- Jacopo Guarneiri – +3 seconds
- Tony Gallopin – +3 seconds
- Zdenek Stybar – +3 seconds
- Bryan Coquard – +3 seconds
Overall standings:
- Tony Martin – 12:40:46
- Christopher Froome – +12 seconds
- Tejay Van Garderen – +25 seconds
- Tony Gallopin – +38 seconds
- Peter Sagan – +39 seconds
- Greg Van Avermaet – +40 seconds
- Rigoberto Uran Uran – +46 seconds
- Alberto Contador – +48 seconds
- Thomas Geraint – +1:15 minutes
- Zdenek Stybar – +1:16 minutes
