Gerolsteiner's Stefan Schumacher produced a dominant ride in Tuesday's stage four of the Tour de France, winning the individual time trial in emphatic fashion to claim the yellow jersey.

The German completed the 29.5km course which started and ended in Cholet in 35 minutes 44 seconds, 18 seconds ahead of Team Columbia's Kim Kirchen, of Luxembourg, and Britain's David Millar (Garmin Chipotle).

Romain Feillu, who held the overall leader's yellow jersey going into Tuesday's stage, finished 169th.

Conditions favoured the later starters with high winds, which had made life difficult for the earlier riders, dying down by late afternoon.

Schumacher took full advantage, and had a cushion of 14 seconds over Switzerland's Fabian Cancellara, the then leader and favourite for the stage, at the first checkpoint.

And the German was relentless, stretching that lead to 33 seconds by the end of the course.

Cadel Evans moved into second as Millar struggled to make an impact on Schumacher's impressive time.

The Scot crossed the line nine seconds ahead of Evans, but was edged into third by Kirchen.

Schumacher will take a 12-second lead over Kirchen and Millar into Wednesday's fifth stage, a flat 232km trek to Chateauroux which is the longest of the 2008 Tour.

After the biggest win of his career, Schumacher said: "It is incredible, winning the stage and taking the yellow jersey at the same time is a dream come true."

He added on www.velonews.com: "I will give all to defend the jersey.

"When I was up there on the podium to receive the maillot jaune, my hair was standing on end.

"I felt good on the bike today and because the distance wasn't so long, I was able to maintain a good rhythm throughout the course.

"Tomorrow is a stage for the sprinters, so I will try to defend the jersey at Super-Besse.

"I'm not climber, but that climb to Super-Besse is one that suits my characteristics."

Kirchen believes he is well positioned to challenge over the coming days.

"I'm in form right now," he said.

"I've reached my objective by staying in shot of the jersey going into Super-Besse. My legs are feeling better in the mountains this year, so today was a confirmation that the form is good."

Stage Four Result:

1. Stefan Schumacher (Ger) Gerolsteiner 35mins 44secs

2. Kim Kirchen (Lux) Team Columbia at 0.18

3. David Millar (Gbr) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30 at same time

4. Cadel Evans (Aus) Silence - Lotto at 0.27

5. Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team CSC - Saxo Bank at 0.33

6. Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank at 0.34

7. Jens Voigt (Ger) Team CSC - Saxo Bank at 0.35

8. Christian Vande Velde (USA) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30 at 0.37

9. George Hincapie (USA) Team Columbia at 0.41

10. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas at 0.47

11. Thomas Lovkvist (Swe) Team Columbia at same time

12. Jose Ivan Gutierrez (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne at 0.50

13. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Cofidis - Le Credit par Telephone at 1.08

14. Danny Pate (USA) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30 at 1.10

15. Stijn Devolder (Bel) Quick Step at 1.18

16. Maxime Monfort (Bel) Cofidis - Le Credit par Telephone at 1.24

17. Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre at 1.26

18. Oscar Pereiro Sio (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne at 1.28

19. Sebastian Lang (Ger) Gerolsteiner at 1.29

20. Andy Schleck (Lux) Team CSC - Saxo Bank at same time

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