Martin claims coveted yellow

– Tony Martin, pictured, felt nothing but joy as he finally got his hands on the yellow jersey that had eluded him by a matter of seconds on the previous three days at the Tour de France.

The three-time world time-trial champion made a daring solo attack from a reduced peloton with 3.3km left of yesterday’s 223.5km cobbled fourth stage and held off the charging pack to win by three seconds.

That on its own would have been enough to snatch the yellow jersey from 2013 champion Chris Froome’s shoulders, but the 30-year-old also took a 10 seconds time bonus on the line that gives him a 12 seconds buffer to Froome in the overall standings.

“Pure happiness! All the pressure and all the sadness from the last days has come off now,” said the German Etixx-Quick Step rider. “It’s a really emotional day and stage for me, I’m super happy.”

John Degenkolb, the winner of the Paris-Roubaix race whose cobbles were borrowed for this stage, took second with Peter Sagan third.

Martin had spent the fi rst three days in second place having lost out to Rohan Dennis of Australia by five seconds in the opening stage time-trial.

He ended the second stage three seconds behind Fabian Cancellara, who had taken a four seconds bonus on the line for finishing third. Froome then finished second on the third stage to earn a six seconds bonus that left him just a second ahead of Martin.

After a hectic last 50km, including 11.5km of cobbles across six sectors, the “fantastic four” favourites of Froome, reigning champion Vincenzo Nibali, twotime winner Alberto Contador and Colombian Nairo Quintana all finished in the leading group of around 25 riders.

Froome was gracious in losing the yellow jersey. “Congratulations to Tony, it was a great performance. He deserves it.” – AFP

Cambrai