Germany's Jens Voigt won the Critérium International for the fourth time in his career after taking the overall lead in the second stage of the event.

Voigt was fourth in the general classification going into the second day of the 77th Critérium meeting after Dutchman Laurens Ten Dam of Rabobank had taken the overall lead with a victory in the first stage in Signy le Petit-Charleville Mézières.

The German established a comfortable time advantage in the morning stage when he finished just 0.04 seconds behind stage winner Simon Gerrans of Australia.

And with that cushion behind him he encountered little trouble as he saved his leader's jersey over the final time trial stage to score his fourth overall victory of the event.

Norway's Edvald Boasson Hagen (High Road) posted the fastest third stage time after skilfully navigating the 8.3km course in rainy conditions.

"This afternoon, my primary objective was not to crash," said Voigt, who now equals Jacques Anquetil's four victories in the event.

"I knew I had a sufficient advance I didn't have to worry about, so I went for it calmly. I almost took some corners standing still, to not take any risks.

"It's important to have won it a fourth time, but I don't really look at the records. In fact, I was more touched last year when I equalled the score of Sean Kelly, one of my childhood heroes.

"This event is made for me. Throughout the years, I learned that I'm much more effective on short distances. If it's too long or too hard, I always lack something to make the difference.

"But here, I can defend my position on three stages - it is a format that suits me perfectly. I'll definitely come back next year!"

Final classification

1. Jens Voigt (Team CSC) 7.29.01

2. Gustav E. Larsson (Team CSC) + 0.57

3. Luis Leon Sanchez (Caisse d'Epargne) s.t.

4. Maxime Monfort (Cofidis) + 1.03

5. Laurens Ren Dam (Rabobank) + 1.08

Eurosport