Russian rider Vladimir Gusev won the 5.5km prologue of the Tour of Germany in Dusseldorf on Tuesday. The Discovery Channel team rider, 23, finished just ahead of German duo Linus Geremann and Sebastian Lang.
Last year's Tour of Germany winner Levi Leipheimer of the USA finished in 111th place, 42 seconds off Gusev's pace.
Wednesday's first stage will see the 176 riders tackle a 198.2km leg from Dusseldorf to Bielefeld which promises to be one for the sprint specialists.
Tour of Germany prologue results:
1. Vladimir Gusev (Rus/Discovery Channel ) 06:42"
2. Linus Gerdemann (Ger/T-Mobile ) ST
3. Sebastian Lang (Ger/Gerolsteiner ) +1"
4. Laszlo Bodrogi (Hun/Credit Agricole ) +3"
5. Alexei Markov (Rus/Caisse d'Epargne ) +8"
6. Frederic Finot (Fra/Francaise des Jeux )
7. Sebastien Rosseler (Bel/Quick-Step )
8. Inigo Cuesta (Spa/CSC )
9. Tomas Vaitkus (Lit/AG2R ) +9"
10. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz/Astana ) +10"
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