MONTPELLIER, France, July 7, 2009 (AFP) – Russian Tour de France contender Denis Menchov got off to the worst possible start in stage four’s team time trial when he crashed at one of the early corners Tuesday.

Menchov was the first of his nine-man Rabobank team to come crashing down as he went too fast into a left-hand bend only minutes into the extremely technical 39km course around Montpellier.

Rabobank regrouped after waiting for Menchov to get back on his bike although the Dutch team lost precious seconds in the process.

Minutes later Italy’s reigning world champion Alessandro Ballan crashed at the same corner, forcing his Lampre team to wait on him.

Four specialist teams – Astana, Columbia, Garmin and Saxo Bank – are expected to challenge for the stage honors, which could see a new race leader.

Olympic time trial champion Fabian Cancellara, of Saxo Bank, was wearing the yellow jersey, although the Swiss has only a 33sec lead on German Tony Martin, of Columbia.

Seven-time champion Lance Armstrong is Astana’s best-placed rider at 40sec while Englishman Bradley Wiggins of Garmin is at 1:00.

Menchov is the reigning Tour of Italy champion, but famously crashed in the final stage time trial in Italy last month on his way to victory.

File Photo by: CorVos Pro