CHOLET, France — Germany's Stefan Schumacher took the overall lead in the Tour de France today by winning the first individual time trial of the three-week race.

He completed the 18.3 miles in 35 minutes, 44 seconds, ahead of Kim Kirchen of Luxembourg and David Millar of Britain. Time-trial world champion Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland struggled and finished fifth.

Schumacher took the yellow jersey from France's Romain Feillu, who won it Monday. The German most likely will hold the lead for at least for another day.

Tomorrow's stage favors sprinters and the pack is expected to stay together. The 144-mile route from Cholet to Chateauroux is the race's longest and flattest stage.