Wout Poels fastest in Time Trial as Luis Leon Sanchez retains race lead

Team Sky's Wout Poels was the fastest at the Individual Time Trial and moved into second place on GC, behind race leader Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana's Luis Leon Sanchez 

The time trial took place over 18.4 kilometres between La Fouillouse and Saint-Etienne. The day started with sunny weather but the last riders had rain on the course.

Team Sky's new signing Dylan van Baarle was one of the early riders to face the route and set the fastest time at 26 minutes and 21 seconds. The Dutchman spent some time in the hot seat but was removed by his teammate David de la Cruz, who finished the course in 26 minutes and 7 seconds.

Faster riders came after him and took the first position of the day for a moment. Sergio Henao (Sky) and Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) both spent some time at the top of the standings.

Sky's Wout Poels completed the route in 25 minutes and 33 seconds, a time that allowed him to top the stage while he waited for the rest to finish. The remaining riders needed more time to complete the course than the Dutchman, which allowed him to take the stage victory.

Astana's Luis Leon Sanchez was able to maintain the leader's jersey for another day. Poels climbs to the second place of the General Classification and Soler to the third spot.

VIDEO: 2018 Paris Nice Stage 4 Highlights

2018 Paris Nice Stage 4 ITT Top 10

1 Wout Poels (Ned) Team Sky 0:25:33 
2 Marc Soler (Spa) Movistar Team 0:00:11 
3 Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Quick-Step Floors 0:00:16 
4 Felix Grossschartner (Aut) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:00:20 
5 Ion Izagirre (Spa) Bahrain-Merida 0:00:27 
6 Gorka Izagirre (Spa) Bahrain-Merida   
7 Luis León Sanchez (Spa) Astana Pro Team 0:00:28 
8 Tim Wellens (Bel) Lotto Soudal 0:00:29 
9 Sergio Henao (Col) Team Sky 0:00:33 
10 Esteban Chaves (Col) Mitchelton-Scott

2018 Paris Nice GC after Top 10

1 Luis León Sanchez (Spa) Astana Pro Team 13:47:57 
2 Wout Poels (Ned) Team Sky 0:00:15 
3 Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Quick-Step Floors 0:00:26 
4 Marc Soler (Spa) Movistar Team   
5 Gorka Izagirre (Spa) Bahrain-Merida 0:00:34 
6 Felix Grossschartner (Aut) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:00:35 
7 Ion Izagirre (Spa) Bahrain-Merida 0:00:42 
8 Tim Wellens (Bel) Lotto Soudal   
9 Sergio Henao (Col) Team Sky 0:00:48 
10 Esteban Chaves (Col) Mitchelton-Scott