Belgium's Wout van Aert moved to the top of the general classification at the halfway point of the Paris-Nice race after winning the stage four time-trial ©Getty Images

Belgium's Wout van Aert, frustrated in the previous day’s sprint finish, moved to the top of the Paris-Nice general classification today with victory in the stage four time-trial.

The 27-year-old Tokyo 2020 road race silver medallist completed the 13.4 kilometres route from Domerat to Montlucon in 16min 20sec, leading home a one-two-three for his team Jumbo-Visma, which has dominated this race - set to conclude on Sunday (March 13) - from the off.

At the halfway point in this International Cycling Union (UCI) WorldTour race, van Aert, who took over the leader’s yellow jersey from French team-mate Christophe Laporte, has clocked an overall total of 11hr 51min 05sec.

Laporte, who suffered a fall at the finish in yesterday’s third stage, dropped to third in the overall standings, 28 seconds behind the leader, as his team-mate Primož Roglič of Slovenia, who crashed out when leading on the final stage last year, moved up to second position, ten seconds behind. 

Roglič took second place on the day, two seconds slower than van Aert, and the third man on the podium was fellow Jumbo-Visma rider Rohan Dennis of Australia, who was six seconds behind.

Tomorrow's fifth stage is set to follow a 188.8 kilometres route from Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert to Saint-Saveur-de-Montagut.