The course, which rolled out from Beaujeu, featured a long, flat opening run before the final three kilometres headed uphill, with an average gradient of 7.7 per cent to negotiate.

Just as the weather had made an impact earlier in the race, so it did on stage four too – this time cold and rain ensuring testing conditions for the race against the clock.

Early success on the course came from David de la Cruz (QuickStep Floors), who set the clubhouse lead with a time of 22.24 and remained in the hotseat for much of the day.

Michael Matthews (Orica-Scott) highlighted his versatility with a time of 22.26, while Richie Porte (BMC Racing) – who saw his GC hopes blown away by the crosswinds on stage two – was five seconds adrift of De La Cruz.

Racing in the white of best young rider, Alaphilippe’s average speed was a fraction over 40km/h, enough to earn him his first UCI WorldTour stage win.

Race leader Arnaud Demare (FDJ) never looked like threatening his fellow Frenchman’s time, and cedes the yellow jersey as a result.

Alaphilippe will now look to take the leader’s jersey into the mountains, with a 33-second gap overall to second-placed Gallopin.

Paris-Nice 2017: stage four (ITT) – report

1) Julian Alaphilippe (FRA) – QuickStep Floors – 21.39
2) Alberto Contador (ESP) – Trek-Segafredo +19”
3) Tony Gallopin (FRA) – Lotto-Soudal +20”
4) Gorka Izaguirre (ESP) – Movistar – ST
5) Ilnur Zakarin (RUS) – Katusha-Alpecin +33”
6) David de la Cruz (ESP) – QuickStep Floors +45”
7) Michael Matthews (AUS) – Team Sunweb +47”
8) Sergio Henao (COL) – Team Sky +48”
9) Jon Izaguirre (ESP) – Bahrain-Merida +49”
10) Richie Porte (AUS) – BMC Racing +50”

General classification

1) Julian Alaphilippe (FRA) – QuickStep Floors – 12.36.27hrs
2) Tony Gallopin (FRA) – Lotto-Soudal +33”
3) Gorka Izaguirre (ESP) – Movistar +47”
4) Sergio Henao (COL) – Team Sky +1.05
5) Daniel Martin (IRL) – QuickStep Floors +1.20
6) Philippe Gilbert (BEL) – QuickStep Floors +1.24
7) Ilnur Zakarin (RUS) – Katusha-Alpecin +1.28
8) Alberto Contador (ESP) – Trek-Segafredo +1.31
9) Rudy Molard (FRA) – FDJ +1.32
10) Arnaud Demare (FRA) – FDJ +1.35