Alaphilippe surges into Paris-Nice lead

BEAUJEU, France — Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe claimed a dominant victory on the fourth stage of the Paris-Nice race Wednesday and seized the overall lead in style. The Quick Step rider finished 19 seconds ahead of Spain's Alberto Contador at Mont Brouilly, near Lyon, in the 14.5km time-trial that began in Beaujeu and ended with a 3km climb over the vineyards of the Beaujolais. Tony Gallopin came third on the day and is up to second in the overall standings, 33 seconds behind Alaphilippe. Contador is now 1min 31sec off the pace in eighth. Alaphilippe's win was the second for a Frenchman since the race began Sunday. The 24-year-old, who came fourth in the Rio Olympics road race last year, had never previously won a major time-trial. "It really was the type of stage that suited me, with a quick first part made more technical by the rain and then the climb," Alaphilippe said. "I had a good feeling. I couldn't let this chance pass me by. I have been coming close to claiming a big victory for a while now." Two-time former Paris-Nice winner Richie Porte of Australia was the quickest rider up the Mont Brouilly climb but finished 10th on the stage, 50 seconds behind the winner. Thursday's fifth stage will take the peloton 199.5km from Quincie-en-Beaujolais to Bourg-de-Peage. BMC win Tirreno opener in record time Italian Damiano Caruso pulled on the race leader's blue jersey at the Tirreno-Adriatico race Wednesday after a record time trial win for BMC in the opening stage of the 'Race of the Two Seas'. Caruso crossed the line first for the Swiss outfit as they completed the 22.7 km race against the clock in a time of 23min 21sec. With an average speed over 58.239 kph over the course, held at the Lido di Camaiore on the Ligurian coast, BMC smashed their own previously-held race record of 56.947km/h set last year. Belgian outfit Quick Step finished second at 16secs in arrears with Spanish team Movistar 21 behind. For Caruso it was hardly a surprise, given the addition of speed kings Rohan Dennis of Australia and Swiss specialist Stefan Kung to their line-up. Dennis, who sits second overall, is a former world record holder in track cycling's hour event and holds the record at the Tour de France for the fastest average speed in an individual time trial (55.446 kph). Stage two is mammoth 228 km race over undulating terrain from Camaiore to Pomarance.