MX23RW : Tuesday, March 19 06:20:19| >> :600:274541685:274541685:

Tony Martin wins stage four of the Tour de France

Tony Martin wins stage four of the Tour de France to replace Chris Froome as the overall leader.

Tony Martin has claimed victory in the fourth stage of the Tour de France to take the overall lead in the race.

The German crossed the line one second ahead of his teammate John Degenkolb to move nine seconds clear in the standings.

Tony Martin of Germany riding for Etixx-QuickStep celebrates as he wins stage four of the 2015 Tour de France from Seraing, Belgium to Cambrai, France on July 7, 2015© Getty Images

"After having a flat tyre and changing bikes I was thinking about the next stage," BBC Sport quotes Martin as saying.

"But I got back in and with 5km remaining everybody was looking round and not pulling so I went for it. A thousand thanks for my team. I am super happy."

Britain's Chris Froome had gone into the race wearing the yellow jersey, but he finished in the chasing pack.

ID:232387: cacheID:232387:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2229:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Great Britain's Christopher Froome celebrates his overall leader yellow jersey on the podium at the end of the 159.5 km third stage of the 102nd edition of the Tour de France cycling race on July 6, 2015
Read Next:
Chris Froome takes Tour de France lead
>