Grabsch Takes Dauphine Time Trial; Evans Resumes Race Lead

Bert Grabsch (Columbia-Highroad) proved today that he deserves his status as the reigning world time trial champion by taking the important 42-kilometer time trial in the fourth stage of the Dauphine-Libere.

The stage was mostly flat with a slight wind.  This worked to the powerhouse German's advantage as he was able to push a large gear and drive it home in the last 20 kilometers. 

With the wind on the course, he averaged a very high 49 kph (30.8 mph) on the day. 

The overall classification battle continued today, as Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) and Alberto Contador (Astana) hit the roads in search of gaining time. 

Evans is more suited to the time trials than Contador despite the Spaniard's amazing improvement in recent months. 

Because the course was flat and suited to a classic TT specialist, such as winner Grabsch, Evans powered home ahead of Contador.  He came in 37 seconds ahead and will take that advantage to the upcoming mountains.

Evans finished the day in a very strong second place.  British TT champion David Millar (Garmin-Slipstream) came in third.  Contador came in fifth on the stage.

As expected, overnight leader Niki Terpstra (Milram) could not put his money where his mouth was. He said yesterday that with a minute's overall advantage over Evans at the start of the day, he could minimize losses and keep the lead, but he came in almost five minutes adrift.

Cadel Evans resumes command of the race lead with his strong performance.  Contador once again slots back into second place at 45 seconds behind. 

After today, the Dauphine has more or less become a head-to-head showdown between these two men because most other overall contenders are two or more minutes behind after the time trial. 

Tomorrow, the race hits the famous Mont Ventoux, and it will be a spectacular showdown, assuming the riders want to make it one.  Evans holds 45 valuable seconds over Contador.

The Spaniard, known for his devastating mountain assaults, could make up that time if he wanted, but he has already said that he is using the race more for honing his race form for next month's Tour rather than unleashing his fury now. 

Tomorrow and the next couple of mountain stages will show what the racers are capable of and what they intend to unleash on the Dauphine.