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Fabian Cancellara of Saxo Bank blew the field away to win the prologue in Monaco and take the first yellow jersey of the 2009 Tour de France.

The Swiss time trial specialist overtook Giro champion Denis Menchov (Rabobank) on the closing straight as he romped to a superb time of 19 minutes and 32 seconds over the undulating 15.5 kilometre course in the Principality.

2007 Tour champion Alberto Contador (Astana) crossed the line 18secs down in second place having set the quickest time at the halfway point after a steep opening 7.5 km section.

The Spaniard, who has won the previous three Grand Tours he has raced, will now swap his national time trial jersey for the polka dot jersey as best climber.

Taking third place in Monaco was Britain's Bradley Wiggins (Garmin-Slipstream) who showed his much-improved climbing skills with an accomplished ride just one second off Contador's time.

Reigning Tour champion Carlos Sastre (Cervelo) limited his losses to 1:06.00 to take 21st place in a discipline in which he always struggles.

Seven-time Tour winner Lance Armstrong, making his return to the race after retiring from the sport four years ago, set the tenth fastest time, 40secs down on Cancellara.

Armstrong's team-mate and compatriot Levi Leipheimer was half a minute off the pace in sixth after both Americans opted to ride early on the day owing to concerns about the weather.

It looked to have been a wise decision, with Leipheimer holding the top spot for a long period with German youngster Tony Martin (Columbia-HTC) in second, three seconds behind.

But the showers that lingered on the horizon never came, allowing the late starters near-perfect conditions to race.

Another Astana rider, Andreas Kloden of Germany, was first to pip Leipheimer's pace-setting time, eventually finishing in fourth place, 22secs behind the day's winner. With four riders in the top ten, Johan Bruyneel's team will feel confident ahead of Tuesday's team time trial.

Cancellara, looking lean and clearly the bookies' favourite, did not negotiate the punchy climb out of Monaco as quick as Contador but managed to reel in the Spaniard's time on his speedy descent, capturing Menchov in what became the lasting image of the day.

Menchov, the Russian winner of the Giro in May, struggled to make an impact and was always well off the pace, finishing a lowly fifty-third, one minute 31secs behind.

It was a hard day in the saddle too for the Schleck brothers, with Andy coming home one minute in arrears and older sibling Frank a further 36secs adrift.

The same cannot be said of Cadel Evans, the two time Tour runner-up, who posted a solid prologue to take fifth place, 23secs off the pace.

Liquigas youngsters Roman Kreuziger and Vincenzo Nibali both excelled as they took seventh and ninth respectively, the former winning the white jersey of the race's best rider under 25 years old in the process.

The Czech 23-year-old beat white jersey rival Martin by just one second after a perfect start to his Tour debut.

Sunday's opening stage 187km stage from Monaco to Brignoles crosses the hilly Provence region but should see the sprinters come together for a bunch sprint.

After four victories in last year's race, Britain's Mark Cavendish (Columbia-HTC) will look to open his 2009 account, although he will face tough opposition from Tom Boonen, the Quick Step sprinter who was given a last minute reprieve to race the Tour after failing an out of competition drugs test for cocaine.

Stage Two LIVE at 12:15 on Sunday July 5 on British Eurosport (Sky 410 / Virgin Media 521); Also available on your PC via the Eurosport Player - click on the link under the picture to subscribe

Felix Lowe / Eurosport