Gianni Meersman secured the fourth stage of the Paris-Nice 2012, Bradley Wiggins leading the overall classifications
After securing his first victory at the Volta ao Algarve, Gianni Meersman of Team Lotto Belisol succeeded at the fourth stage of the Paris-Nice 2012.
He completed the 183 kilometre pursuit to Rodez in a fastest time of 4 hour, 21 minutes and 1 second.
Grega Bole, Lieuwe Westra, Xavier Florencio Cabre and Jonathan Hivert achieved the next four spots. Wiggins continued his overall dominance and is leading the stage 4 classifications.
Levi Leipheimer is 6 seconds behind at the second position, while Tejay Van Garderen holds firm at the third spot.
Sylvain Chavanel, Maxime Monfort and Lieuwe Westra are at the fourth, fifth and sixth overall positions.
Meersman, however, was the star of the day and he was delighted to claim his first World Tour victory of the 2012 season.
He noted after crossing the finish-line, "I was third yesterday, and today the team worked all day. That gave me confidence and I'm really glad there was a victory".
"Today I was fast but I'm just happy I could win and I'm happy with the victory," he stated.
He added, "We had a little roundabout with roughly 200 meters to go and I was in fifth position. I thought I was too far back and I was waiting and waiting and then I sprinted".
The 26-year-old joined Team Lotto-Belisol after ending his four years' association with Team FDJ and is having a terrific time with the side.
Luis Angel Mate Mardones of Team Cofidis succeeded during the first three mountains of the stage and grabbed 18 important points.
Thomas De Gendt and Andreas Kloden achieved the fourth and the fifth mountains of the stage.
Rigoberto Uran Uran, Tejay Van Garderen and Davide Malacarne were the top three best young riders during the fourth stage of the Paris-Nice 2012.
Alejandro Valverde of Team Movistar is leading the point’s classifications with a total number of 52 points in his pocket.
Bradley Wiggins of Team Sky Procycling and Gianni Meersman of Team Lotto-Belisol are holding the second and the third positions, with 47 and 45 points, respectively.
Team Omega Pharma-Quick Step is still leading the team’s classifications with Team Sky Procycling, Team BMC, Team Katusha and Astana Pro Team claiming the next four spots.
Tags: