Millar's yellow jersey hopes disappear as Schumacher races in

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The Gerolsteiner rider was the surprise winner of the first time trial of this year's race, a 18.3-mile loop out from and back to the town of Cholet in the Loire.

Union man: David Millar of Great Britain and team Garmin-Chipotle in action during the first time trail of the 2008 Tour de France

In finishing 18 seconds ahead of Kim Kirchen and Millar, Schumacher passed both men in the general classification.

He also overtook Romain Feillu, the virtually unknown overnight leader for whom wearing the yellow jersey was merely a source of pride, not an inspiration. Feillu's time was almost five minutes slower than that of Schumacher and 169th out of yesterday's 178 Stage Four starters.

[caption

Millar had thought that finishing ahead of time trial expert Fabian Cancellara would have been enough to win the stage, only for the Swiss specialist to endure a rare off-day, coming in fifth.

Decked out in his Great Britain national champion's jersey and with Union Flags visible all over his time-trialling bike, Millar pushed hard for the stage victory along a route whose only climb was lined with thousands of spectators.

With the first mountain stage, albeit in the Massif Central, not the Pyrenees or Alps, following today's long roll across the central flatlands to Chateauroux, Millar is unlikely to assume yellow in 2008.

But the Scot, 31, remained upbeat, saying: 'I had a really good day and I think I'm going to be better than anyone's seen me before.'

One man just as hopeful is Cadel Evans, the pre-race favourite, whose impressive fourth place leaves him in prime position to assume the overall lead when the climbing stages begin.

STAGE RESULT

1. Stefan Schumacher (Germany / Gerolsteiner ) 35 mins 44 secs 2. Kim Kirchen (Luxembourg / Columbia ) +18 secs 3. David Millar (Britain / Garmin - Chipotle ) same time 4. Cadel Evans (Australia / Silence - Lotto ) +27" 5. Fabian Cancellara (Switzerland / Team CSC ) +33"

OVERALL STANDINGS

1. Stefan Schumacher (Germany / Gerolsteiner ) 14 hrs 4 mins 41 secs 2. Kim Kirchen (Luxembourg / Columbia ) +12 secs 3. David Millar (Britain / Garmin - Chipotle ) same time 4. Cadel Evans (Australia / Silence - Lotto ) +21" 5. Fabian Cancellara (Switzerland / Team CSC ) +33"