Germany's world time-trial champion Bert Grabsch of the Columbia team won the fourth stage of the Dauphine Libere race here on Wednesday, a 42.4 kilometre time trial.
The 33-year-old German outpaced Australia's two-time Tour de France runner-up Cadel Evans by just seven seconds.
However, Evans regained the overall leader's yellow jersey he lost on Tuesday to Dutchman Niki Terpstra, who could only finish in 114th place, over five minutes behind the stage winner.
Grabsch said it was a relief to have put a win on the board.
"Since I won the world title, I must have raced five or six time-trials, finishing in the first 10," said Grabsch.
"However, I was still awaiting a win.
"They were, though, shorter than this one. This was a good distance for me, indeed it was perfect for me."
Evans was the big winner of the day in terms of contenders for overall victory as 2007 Tour de France champion Alberto Contador lost 37sec to the Australian.
Last year's winner Alejandro Valverde - who faces a worldwide two-year doping ban if cycling's world ruling body the UCI acts upon vital evidence, which has still to be received from the Italian sporting authorities - lost over a minute-and-a-half while Italian rider Ivan Basso was over two minutes adrift.
Basso was later docked another 20 seconds because his team sporting director did not respect the rule of keeping the team car 10 metres back from his rider.
Evans admitted that he had always thought Grabsch was the favourite to win the stage and conceded Contador's challenge in the mountain stages would be crucial.
"For me, the mountains will be a real examination," said the combative 32-year-old.
"Contador is the man to beat in the mountains, even if one should also be wary of other riders.
"I haven't raced a mountain stage since the Tour of the Basque Country (in April).
"The last time that I climbed Mont Ventoux, I won the stage (Paris-Nice). But it will be another thing with Contador in the race."
Contador for his part was ecstatic at his performance, especially in terms of his preparations for the Tour de France.
"It is a really, really good result for me with respect to my rivals, especially with regard to Evans," said Contador, who was unable to defend his Tour de France crown last year because his team Astana were barred by the organisers on account of doping offences in the 2007 edition when he wasn't with them.
"Everything couldn't be going better in terms of my preparations for the Tour de France.
"I have already said that I don't want to expend too much energy."But with a view to what awaits us over the next few days, I am in a good position. Evans has, however, shown that he is in a better physical condition than me."
Stage
1. Bert Grabsch (GER/THR) 51min 26sec
2. Cadel Evans (AUS/SIL) at 7sec
3. David Millar (GBR/GRM) 39
4. Frantisek Rabon (CZE/THR) 40
5. Alberto Contador (ESP/AST) 44
6. Stef Clement (NED/RAB) 1min 01sec
7. Koes Moerenhout (NED/RAB) 1:19
8. Sebastien Rosseler (BEL/QST) 1:20
9. Mikel Astarloza (ESP/EUS) 1:23
10. Rinaldo Nocentini (ITA/ALM) 1:24
Selected
12. Alejandro Valverde (ESP/GCE) 1:38.
31. Ivan Basso (ITA/LIQ) 2:35.
68. Tom Boonen (BEL/QST) 3:49.
114. Niki Terpstra (NED/MRM) 5:27.
Overall
1. Cadel Evans (AUS/SIL) 11hr 16min 19sec
2. Alberto Contador (ESP/AST) at 45sec
3. Bert Grabsch (GER/THR) 48.
4. Frantisek Rabon (CZE/THR) 1min 07sec
5. David Millar (GBR/GRM) 1:09.
6. Stef Clement (NED/RAB) 1:33.
7. Sebastien Rosseler (BEL/QST) 1:46.
8. Alejandro Valverde (ESP/GCE) 1:54.
9. Koos Moerenhout (NED/RAB) 2:01.
10. Mikel Astarloza (ESP/EUS) 2:07.