Froome cruises in Jayco Herald Sun Tour prologue

Tour de France champion Chris Froome made a smooth start to what could be his most challenging season yet with a short prologue to the Jayco Herald Sun Tour in Melbourne on Wednesday.

Chris Froome corners on the Southbank prologue course at the Jayco Herald Sun Tour (Kathryn Watt) Source: Kathryn Watt

The 30-year-old has set himself some lofty goals this year, hoping to secure a treble triumph of double Olympic gold and a third Tour de France title.

"It's definitely a bit of a lung opener, that ride," the Team Sky rider told reporters after an incident-free 2.1 km dash around Melbourne's Southbank.

"It was a really short, intense little sprint basically," he added.

Froome clocked two minutes 42.1 seconds to cross the line eight seconds off the pace in 26th and his best chance of a victory in the five-stage race is likely to come at the summit finish at Arthurs Seat on Sunday's final day.

"I'm happy with that... the main objective today was just to stay upright," he said.

"The racing is still going to be decided over these next few days. Undoubtedly, once we get to Arthurs Seat at the end, that's going to be the big day."