MUR-DE-BRETAGNE, France — Make no mistake, Alberto Contador is back on the prowl.
After a dismal start to the Tour de France, the three-time champion showed some of his old dominance Tuesday at cycling’s premier event. He gained seconds on his likely rivals by placing second to Stage 4 winner Cadel Evans in a two-man photo finish.
Norway’s Thor Hushovd, who rides for Boulder’s Garmin-Cervelo, barely kept the yellow jersey in the 107-mile leg from Lorient to Mur-de-Bretagne. He even surprised himself by keeping up with Evans and Contador on a steep, if short, climb to the finish.
The stage in mostly flat Brittany underscored two aspects of the three-week race so far: Evans has been nearly flawless; Contador can never be ruled out.
The finish was so close that Contador raised a fist to celebrate what he believed was his win. Then a black-and-white photo showed the Spaniard’s tire was a fraction of an inch behind.
“Contador again proving himself. He was up there and riding well,” Evans said. “He’s never a guy you can underestimate.”
Contador showed that even on a short climb — long before the punishing Alps and Pyrenees ascents arrive — he can gain on key riders: Bradley Wiggins of Britain was six seconds back; Andy Schleck of Luxembourg, runner-up in 2009 and 2010, was eight seconds behind.
A look at Stage 4
Two-time Tour runner-up Cadel Evans won his second career Tour stage.
Stage winner: Cadel Evans, BMC, 4 hours, 11 minutes, 39 seconds.
Today’s stage: A 164.5-kilometer flat trek, from Carhaix to Cap Frehel.
How Garmin-Cervelo is faring (overall standings): 1. Thor Hushovd, 13 hours, 58 minutes, 25 seconds; 4. David Millar, :08; 34. Ryder Hesjedal, 1:22; 45. Tom Danielson, 1:57; 46. Christian Vande Velde, same time; 54. R. Navardauskas, 2:14; 167. Tyler Farrar, 10:43; 182. Julian Dean, 12:52; 188. D. Zabriskie, 14:35.
