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Saxo Bank's Fabian Cancellara powered round the motor racing circuit in the Dutch town of Assen to win the opening stage of the Vuelta a Espana.

In a 4.8km time-trial punctuated by a heavy rainshower halfway through, the Swiss maestro made light of the conditions to finish in five minutes, 20 seconds - a full nine seconds clear of Belgian sprinter Tom Boonen (Quick Step) in second.

Liquigas' Roman Kreuziger had set the fastest time of the early starters, clocking 5'37" under cloudy skies, before the heavens opened and the rain lashed down.

With the wind swirling around the circuit the conditions were treacherous and Boonen's team-mate Carlos Barredo came crashing down almost as soon as he had begun his race - prompting race commissars to lay down a non-slip carpet on the start ramp.

Britain's David Millar (Garmin) was one of the unfortunate riders to have to compete in the pouring rain, and he will no doubt wonder what might have been after finishing in a hugely-impressive time of 5'41".

After half an hour of teeming rain the skies began to clear and the track dried. By the time the General Classification contenders emerged in the final hour, riders were able to carry far more speed into the corners, and Kreuziger's time began to come under threat once again.

Saxo Bank's Andy Schleck, second in the Tour de France, came home in a disappointing 5'58", though hot on his heels was Liquigas sprinter Daniele Bennati, who shaved a single second off Kreuziger's time.

Unheralded Dutchman Jens Mouris (Vacansoleil) sent a huge cheer round the Dutch crowd when he bettered Bennati's effort, though Boonen then went a full five seconds quicker to signal his return to form following an invisible Tour de France.

Cancellara showed why he is regarded as the finest time-triallist in the world, blitzing round the course and setting a benchmark that nobody else looked like approaching.

Race favourites Ivan Basso (Liquigas) and Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) finished eighth and ninth respectively, 18 seconds off Cancellara's pace, with Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) a second further back in 12th and Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel) 24 seconds adrift.

The returning Alexander Vinokourov (Astana) had previously ruled himself out of a challenge for overall victory, though after finishing an impressive seventh may think again.

Sunday's second stage sees the peloton travel 203km from Assen to Emmen as the race remains in the Netherlands.

Watch La Vuelta LIVE at 3pm on Sunday 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

Michael FitzGerald / Eurosport