Spain’s Alberto Contador secured a Paris-Nice double whammy on Thursday by winning the race’s fourth stage here, becoming the overall leader in the process.

The Astana rider attacked 1700 meters from the line to finish 10 seconds ahead of compatriots Alejandro Valverde and Samuel Sanchez after the 173.5 kilometer ride from Maurs.

Another Spaniard, Joaquim Rodriguez, finished fourth, with Frenchman Thomas Voeckler 18sec off the pace in fifth.

“I didn’t feel great,” said Contador. “It was cold, really very cold, during the stage. I hope the temperature will increase.

“Paris-Nice isn’t over. I even think the hard part is just starting. There are three difficult stages remaining and you shouldn’t forget that Paris-Nice is one of the most difficult races of the season to control.”

Overnight leader Jens Voigt conceded 40 seconds to Contador after falling behind during the grueling 3km climb to the finish line.

In the new overall classification, reigning Tour de France champion Contador is 24 seconds ahead of Valverde.

Contador’s victory was his fifth stage win in the Paris-Nice race and the second time he has won the stage ending in Mende.

His first major professional race victory came with the 2007 Paris-Nice, which laid the foundations for his first Tour de France triumph later that year.

Friday’s fifth stage is a 157km ride south from Pernes-les-Fontaines to Aix-en-Provence. The race finishes in Nice on Sunday.

Results on Thursday of the fourth stage of the Paris-Nice race, a 173.5km ride from Maurs-la-Jolie to Mende:
1. Alberto Contador (ESP/AST) 4hr 26min 47sec,
2. Alejandro Valverde (ESP/GCE) at 10sec,
3. Samuel Sanchez (ESP/EUS) 10,
4. Joaquim Rodriguez (ESP/KAT) 18,
5. Thomas Voeckler (FRA/BTL) 20,
6. Damiano Cunego (ITA/LAM) 21,
7. Roman Kreuziger (CZE/LIQ) 21,
8. Christophe Le Mevel (FRA/FDJ) 29,
9. Luis Leon Sanchez (ESP/GCE) 29,
10. Rein Taaramae (EST/COF) 31,
11. Jerome Coppel (FRA/SAU) 37,
12. Jens Voigt (GER/SAX) 44,
13. Sylvain Chavanel (FRA/QST) 44,
14. Jean-Christophe Peraud (FRA/OLO) 44,
15. Sandy Casar (FRA/FDJ) 44,
16. Volodymir Gustov (UKR/CTT) 44,
17. Nicolas Roche (IRL/ALM) 48,
18. Simon Gerrans (AUS/CTT) 53,
19. Xavier Tondo (ESP/CTT) 56,
20. Peter Sagan (SVK/LIQ) 58

Overall classification after four stages:
1. Alberto Contador (ESP/AST) 17hr 07min 23sec,
2. Alejandro Valverde (ESP/GCE) at 24sec,
3. Roman Kreuziger (CZE/LIQ) 25,
4. Luis Leon Sanchez (ESP/GCE) 28,
5. Samuel Sanchez (ESP/EUS) 29,
6. Jens Voigt (GER/SAX) 34,
7.Joaquim Rodriguez (ESP/KAT) 36,
8. Peter Sagan (SVK/LIQ) 54,
9. David Millar (GBR/GRM) 1min 03sec,
10. Rein Taaramae (EST/COF) 1:06,
11. Thomas Voeckler (FRA/BTL) 1:08,
12. Xavier Tondo (ESP/CTT) 1:14,
13. Jean-Christophe Peraud (FRA/OLO) 1:15,
14. Jerome Coppel (FRA/SAU) 1:16,
15. Nicolas Roche (IRL/ALM) 1:22

Photos by: CorVos Pro