The short prologue will bring a first selection. Though it should not have the biggest impact on the race with 3 uphill finishes and another hilly stage. Favourites are obvious with French star Jerome Coppel being the top favourite for yellow.
As one of the earliest riders on the road and first favourite, the Russian Yatsevich on the road. No surprise he takes the individual lead.
A very similar rider starts a bit later: Viennet. But it`s not enough for the French time trialist. 1s slower.
Also Koren and Izagirre with that +1 a bit later. Strong times by this duo. In especially 2nd might have an eye on a good GC here as well.
Durbridge wants the win today and clearly is a top3 rider for those prologues. And he takes the fastest time. 3s faster than the Russian.
It`s not lasting long though until Coppel starts his race. And the top favourite is proving a good form. 6s faster than the Aussie. Was this already the stage win? Bobridge just a bit later comes in as 3rd behind his team mate Durbridge. Strong time by him as well. No surprise actually as Oz riders are made for time trials.
Sergent next and the Kiwi is almost beating Durbridge`s time. Same time and a tiny bit behind it seems. So 3rd for him.
Then a small surprise and a huge sign by Trofimov. The Russian, who wants the GC win here already with a big time. 2nd and just 4s behind Coppel but beating a couple of prologue specialists.
Also Taaramäe proves to be in a good form despite him loving the longer mountains more than the shorter hills here. As 5th and +6 to Coppel he is just 2s behind Trofimov.
Ignatiev was the last rider, who could have been expected to beat the top times. As 10th though he is a bit below expectations. Even behind surprisingly strong finishers Atkins (6th) and Aregger (9th).
So Coppel as expected takes the lead. But the GC fight also has started with Trofimov already gaining on his opponents. Some GC riders even lost up to 30s today and need to attack in the hills now.
