The American rider Christian Vande Velde of the Garmin-Slipstream cycling team has won the fourth stage of the Paris-Nice race, a 173.5 kilometre ride from Vichy to St Etienne.
France's Jonathan Hivert of Skil-Shimano was second and Italian Mirco Lorenzetto came home third for Lampre.
The New Zealand cyclist Hayden Roulsten finished 51st on the stage and improved to 43rd overall.
France's Sylvain Chavanel of the Quick Step team retained the overall leader's yellow jersey.
