Alaphilippe beats Contador on Mont Brouilly

Julian Alaphilippe has taken the victory of the fourth stage, the Quick-Step Floors rider was the fastest in the day's Mountain Individual Time Trial

The fourth stage of Paris-Nice was a 14.5 kilometer Individual Time Trial, finishing on the second category climb of Mont Brouilly.

One for climbing specialists that still had the legs after the first two stages' weather chaos.

Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo) was one of the favorites and was determined to take back some of the time lost in the first two stages. He rode well and completed the course in 21 minutes and 58 seconds, moving to the top of the leader board.

But only minutes later, timetrial specialist Alaphilippe showed his prowess and beat the Spaniard's time, stopping the clock at 21 minutes and 39 seconds.

Contador remained in second spot at the end of stage, followed by Tony Gallopin (Lotto-Soudal), Gorka Izagirre (Movistar), and Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha-Alpecin).

With stage 4 victory, the Frenchman into the lead in the overall General Classification.

His fellow country-man Tony Gallopin is in second and Izagirre, Sergio Henao (Team Sky) and Dan Martin (Quick-Step Floors) complete the top five in the overall standing.

2017 Paris Nice Stage 4 Top 10 Results

1 Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Quick-Step Floors 0:21:39 
2 Alberto Contador (Spa) Trek-Segafredo 0:00:19 
3 Tony Gallopin (Fra) Lotto Soudal 0:00:20 
4 Gorka Izagirre (Spa) Movistar Team   
5 Ilnur Zakarin (Rus) Katusha-Alpecin 0:00:33 
6 David De La Cruz (Spa) Quick-Step Floors 0:00:45 
7 Michael Matthews (Aus) Team Sunweb 0:00:47 
8 Sergio Henao (Col) Team Sky 0:00:48 
9 Jon Izaguirre (Spa) Bahrain-Merida 0:00:49 
10 Richie Porte (Aus) BMC Racing Team 0:00:50

2017 Paris Nice Stage 4 Top 10 Overall after Stage 4

1 Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Quick-Step Floors 12:36:27 
2 Tony Gallopin (Fra) Lotto Soudal 0:00:33 
3 Gorka Izagirre (Spa) Movistar Team 0:00:47 
4 Sergio Henao (Col) Team Sky 0:01:05 
5 Daniel Martin (Irl) Quick-Step Floors 0:01:20 
6 Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Quick-Step Floors 0:01:24 
7 Ilnur Zakarin (Rus) Katusha-Alpecin 0:01:28 
8 Alberto Contador (Spa) Trek-Segafredo 0:01:31 
9 Rudy Molard (Fra) FDJ 0:01:32 
10 Arnaud Demare (Fra) FDJ 0:01:35  

VIDEO: 2017 Paris Nice Stage 4 Highlights

2017 Paris-Nice LIVESTREAM: Stage 4

16:44 CET: Overall General Classiiciation after Stage 4

16:40 CET: Alaphilipe wins the Mount Brouilly Time Trial. Top 10 results

16:35 CET: Alaphilipe set the fastest time up Mont Brouilly

16:26 CET: Contador has the current fastest time

16:01 CET: Richie Porte sets the 3rd fastest time up Mount Brouilly

16:00 CET: Live video above, please refresh your browser

13:30 CET: The first rider has left the gates and is out on the course. Not a very nice day again, where has the sun gone?

Wednesday, 8 March 2017 – Stage 4 in Paris-Nice is a 14.5 kilometres ITT with finish uphill. The closing climb accounts for 3 kilometres at 7.7%, while the last kilometres takes in a 25% sector to arrive at an average of 9.3%.

Last year stage 3 in Paris-Nice was supposed to finish on top of Mont Brouilly, yet the race was cancelled halfway. Snow and cold made it impossible to continue.

The route of the ITT takes in a 11.5 kilometres detour via Lantingié, Cercié and Saint Lager. It’s here the 3 kilometre long punchy closing climb kicks in. The lower slopes are quite gentle with a 6.1% gradient in the first 500 metres. Yet kilometre 2 comes with an average gradient of 7.9% before a guy with a hammer welcomes the riders in the closing kilometre. Averaging at 9.3% the steepest section at 25% looms with 500 metres left. All in all, the average grade on Mont Brouilly is 7.7%.

Paris-Nice’s 2014 edition took in Mont Brouilly for the last time. Tom-Jelte Slagter attacked on its steep ramps. After Geraint Thomas joined him in the descent, the Dutchman outsprinted the Welshman on the line.