Silence-Lotto's Cadel Evans scorched the opening 12.10 km prologue of the Dauphiné Libéré today in Nancy, France besting fellow Tour de France contender Alberto Contador in the process. Defending race winner Alejandro Valverde followed just behind in third place carrying with him doubts about his Tour participation amid doping controversies involving the Italian authorities.
Evans was clearly pleased with his result for the struggling Silence-Lotto team saying, "It couldn't have started off better at this point. The tour is looking good.
"It's going to come down to the 40km time trial and Ventoux for the winner of the race."
The Dauphiné often times referred to as the mini Tour de France, and is used as preparation for many Tour contenders on their way to make a bid for the world's biggest bike race in July. It is very uncommon for the winner of the Tour de France to also win the Dauphiné. Peaking to top form this close to July makes it complicated to achieve the same condition a month later.
"I come into the Dauphiné with good intentions with no great expectations." added Evans, knowing he must be careful with his efforts.
The Australian, who has been twice runner-up in the Tour de France, knows the dangers of digging too deep to win here at the Dauphiné. Like the other Tour contenders, he will choose to ride hard on the stages that suit his build-up for July.
Tomorrows stage will take the race 228km from Nancy to Dijon and will likely be a day for the sprinters.
Stage and Overall
1. Cadel Evans (AUS) Silence-Lotto
2. Alberto Contador (SPA) Astana at .08sec
3. Alejandro Valverde (SPA) Caisse d'Epargne at .23sec