Australia's Rohan Dennis has finished second in the prologue of the Paris-Nice cycling race, coming in behind world champion Michal Kwiatkowski in the 6.7 kilometre time trial in Maurepas.
Riding in his first Paris-Nice, the so-called "race to the sun", Poland's Kwiatkowski timed 7 minutes 40 seconds, to finish ahead of world hour record holder Dennis, who was credited with the same time.
Another time trial specialist, Germany's Tony Martin, was third, seven seconds back, while Australian Michael Matthews, was 12 seconds back in eighth place.
In spring sunshine on Sunday, Australian race favourite Richie Porte already found himself 13th, trailing Kwiatkowski by 15 seconds, the same time as world time trial champion Bradley Wiggins of Britain.
Another of the expected front-runners, Tejay Van Garderen of the United States, fared only slightly better, finishing a second faster than Porte and Wiggins.
"When I knew I was going to be riding the Paris-Nice, I was really up for it, Kwiatkowski said.
But he added: "We mustn't get carried away yet, we've only raced 6.7 kilometres and there's more than another 1,000 to go until Nice, but I'm very happy with my performance today.
"I don't know if I can hold on to the leader's jersey and I've no idea if I have the wherewithal to win the race."
Monday's first stage sees the riders tackle the 196.5km ride from Saint-Remy-les-Chevreuse to Contres.
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