Cholet, France - Stefan Schumacher of Germany created the first big surprise of the 2008 Tour de France by winning Tuesday's fourth stage, an individual time trial in and around the western city of Cholet. In recording his first-ever Tour stage victory, the 26-year-old rider for the Gerolsteiner team also took over the race leader's yellow jersey, as the previous holder, Frenchman Romain Feillu, finished well beaten, in 169th place.
Schumacher's time for the 29.5-km course was 35 minutes 44 seconds, an average speed of 49.5 kph. Luxembourg's Kim Kirchen finished second, 18 seconds adrift, with David Millar of Britain in third.
Schumacher now leads Kirchen in the standings by 12 seconds, with Millar in third, also 12 seconds behind.
Australian Cadel Evans finished fourth, 27 seconds behind the winner, but gained valuable time on his rivals for the title, especially Spaniard Alejandro Valverde, who finished more than a minute behind Evans.
Wednesday's fifth stage takes the Tour into the foothills of the Massif Central. The race ends July 27 in Paris.
