CHATEAU-THIERRY, France, July 10: Igor Gonzalez Galdeano became the first Spaniard to hold the Tour de France leader’s yellow jersey in seven years after his ONCE-Eroski team won the fourth stage, a 67.5-kilometres team time trial.

The Spanish time trial specialist, fifth overall last season, emulated five-times champion Miguel Indurain, the last Spaniard to have led the Tour in 1995.

ONCE won in one hour 19 minutes and 49 seconds, averaging 48kph. The U.S. Postal team of three-times Tour winner Lance Armstrong was second in 1:20:05, 16 seconds behind.

Danish team CSC-Tiscali, who started in last position, set the fastest times for 40kms before losing ground in the final section. They finished third in 1:20:35.

“I’m really disappointed because we had it in our legs to win this time trial,” said CSC-Tiscali leader Laurent Jalabert of France.—Reuters