Wout Poels (Team Sky) powered to the win in the 18.2km Paris-Nice time trial on stage 4, topping the young Spaniard from Movistar Marc Soler by 11 seconds with Julian Alaphilippe (Quick-Step Floors) five further seconds slower in third.
Although Poels' margin was strong, it was not enough to wrest the maillot jaune from Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana), who put in a solid ride in seventh place, 28 seconds behind Poels.
The Spaniard holds onto a 15-second lead in the general classification, with Poels moving into second. Alaphilippe climbed into third at 26 seconds, tied on time with Soler.
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