Australian Michael Matthews took the overall leader’s yellow jersey at the Paris-Nice stage race after winning the opening prologue.
Orica Green-Edge rider Matthews, 25, blitzed the 6.1km course at Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, to the west of Paris, in 7min 39sec to beat Dutch timetrial specialist Tom Dumoulin by a single second.
“First day back in the grid and first win. It’s really a great start to the season,” said Matthews. “I was thinking a top five was possible on a course like this. It was hilly, with lots of technical corners, which suits me.
“The next few stages are flat sprints so I should be able to keep the jersey. We’ll see how far I can go. My climbing form is quite good so it will be nice to see how long I can keep it. It’s an amazing jersey and an amazing race. This is Paris-Nice and I know most of the climbs on the course this week.”
New Zealander Patrick Bevin was third at 2sec while Australian defending champion Richie Porte came in 11th, 10sec down. Team Sky leader Geraint Thomas was seventh at 7sec while Alberto Contador came in a lowly 27th at 16sec.
Monday’s first stage will take the peloton 198km from Conde-surVesgre to Vendome and is expected to finish in a bunch sprint.
