Alberto Contador of Spain wins fourth stage of Paris-Nice to take overall lead

Alberto Contador of Spain reacts after wearing his yellow jersey after winning the fourth stage of the Paris-Nice cycling race in Mende, central France, Thursday, March 11, 2010. (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Lionel Cironneau)

MENDE, France - Two-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador won the fourth stage of the Paris-Nice race and took the overall lead from Jens Voigt.

The 172-kilometre stage Thursday from Maurs to Mende ended in a Category 1 climb. The Spaniard left the field behind with his trademark acceleration. He won in four hours 26 minutes 47 seconds.

Alejandro Valverde of Spain finished second, 10 seconds behind Contador, and moved into second overall, 24 seconds behind. Samuel Sanchez of Spain finished the stage third in the same time as Valverde.

Roman Kreuziger of the Czech Republic, seventh in Thursday's stage, is third overall, 25 seconds behind Contador.

Voigt dropped to sixth place in the standings, 34 seconds behind Contador.

Contador won Paris-Nice in 2007, the year of his first Tour win. He won his second Tour de France last year.

Contador waited as an attack from French rider Pierre Roland up the penultimate Cote de Chabrits climb quickly faded. With Roland out of contention, Contador rode up onto Voigt's wheel and accelerated past him just over half a kilometre from the finish.

The fifth stage Friday is 156 kilometres with four minor climbs, taking the riders from Pernes-les-Fontaines to Aix-en-Provence.

The race ends Sunday in Nice.