Lars Boom powered to an impressive victory on the opening prologue at the Critérium du Dauphiné.
The Rabobank rider lodged a time of six minutes and 18 seconds to edge out Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana) by three seconds on a course that saw most of the field separated fractions.
Bradley Wiggins (Team Sky) was in determined mood and set a strong time that was good enough for third place on the 5.4 kilometre course around Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, the Brit leading briefly before Boom finished with a flourish.
The win ensured the Dutchman was the first recipient of the leader’s yellow jersey after a day in which the elements played a key role.
Damp roads greeted the early runners and the conditions worsened half-way through the schedule, meaning a number of riders were hamstrung by a slick road surface.
Changable conditions
Cyril Lemoine (Saur-Sojasun) laid down a marker of 6:29 which held firm for over an hour as rain fell on the French roads making the numerous painted white road markings treacherous.
Edvald Boasson Hagen (Team Sky) was able to power in a time good enough for an initial seventh place in the early going after briskly cresting the tough 900m climb from the start ramp.
The Norwegian’s time held firm as conditions worsened but would ultimately suffer as the sun came out to gift dry roads to the later runners, resigning Boasson Hagen to 19th.
Blel Kadri (Ag2r) delighted the French fans as he took over the lead from compatriot Lemoine, only to be disposed shortly after by a flying Wiggins.
The British time trial champion saw his time hold off stiff opposition from the likes of Cadel Evans (BMC) and John Degenkolb (HTC-Highroad) but had no answer for Boom who mirrored his prologue success in Paris-Nice last year.
