Prologue: Geneva, 3.4 km

Under beautiful blue skies, Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara (Fassa Bortolo) led home a top three clean sweep for the locals.  Cancellara completed the 3.4 km course in 4.23.5, over two seconds ahead of second placed rider Alexandre Moos (Phonak Hearing Systems).  Last years defending champion Dario Frigo (Fassa Bartolo) finished 15 seconds down in 42nd place.

Starting in the Parc Neuve, climbing through narrow winding streets into the old part of town, Cancellara looked comfortable.  Due to the technical nature of the course he, like most other riders opted for a standard road machine as opposed to the usual disc wheel equipped low-pro.  The course plunged down into the Parc des Bastions before finishing along a short section of pave including a tricky final corner, which saw many riders having a 'moment'.

Notable absentees were Gilberto Simoni (Saeco) and Stefano Garzelli (Vini Caldirola-Sidermec).  Both chosing instead to complete final preperations for this years Giro d'Italia away from the race.  Meanwhile last weekend?s victor at Liege-Bastonge-Liege, Tyler Hamilton, showed that he'd recovered well and was holding his form with a fine result in 7th place.

Click here for stage 1 results.

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