Chris Froome's Team Sky made the perfect start to the Herald Sun tour, with their Dutch sprinter Danny van Poppel winning the prologue time trial.
It was a double celebration on Wednesday evening for van Poppel - apart from putting on the race leader's yellow jersey, the family heirloom that he lost two days ago was also returned to him on the podium.
Van Poppel had lost his father's wedding ring while swimming.
Asked if he was relieved to have the ring returned or happy that he had won the prologue, the Dutchman replied "both".
It is the first win for Team Sky this year.
"It's something for myself and I'm happy I've got it back," he said of the ring's return.
"I was focused for it, to win it (the prologue) - I've done it and I'm really happy because you're always looking for your first victory, for the team and myself."
But it was a dose of frustration for Australian sprinter Brenton Jones, who narrowly missed the prologue win at Melbourne's Southbank for the second time in three years.
Van Poppel scorched over the 2.1km course in two minutes and 32.56 seconds.
After finishing one second back in third place two years ago, Jones was runner-up this time by only 0.9 of a second.
"I'm not regretting anything, I rode a good race," the JLT Condor rider said.
"Danny was really fast today; he's a WorldTour rider so there's no disappointment in coming second."
Although Froome only finished 26th in the prologue, it is expected to be a much different story in Thursday's first road stage.
The three-time Tour de France champion, also the defending Herald Sun Tour champion, and Colombian star Esteban Chaves (Orica-Scott) will be the headline acts on the long climb to the summit finish at Falls Creek.
The near-30km climb could well decide this week's overall winner.
"I'm hoping I can give it (the yellow jersey) to Chris - tomorrow is a nice day for Chris and the team, so we go full for him," van Poppel said.
"I will be one of the first guys working for Chris (during the stage), which may be a bit strange with the yellow jersey.
"He will be ready - I see already that he's in good shape.
"It will be a nice fight with the Orica-Scott guys."
Froome showed he has started the year in good form with a strong ride at last Sunday's Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road race.
"It's a great start for the team, with Danny winning - that's giving us a lot of confidence going into the week ahead," Froome said.
"He did a great ride.
"It's not really my kind of course, but it's great to kick the week off."
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