Reuters
CSC team rider Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland cycles past Big Ben at Westminster during the prologue stage of the 94th Tour de France in London yesterday. Cancellara won the stage.

LONDON (AP):

WORLD TIME-trial champion Fabian Cancellara won yesterday's prologue of the Tour de France, the debut of cycling's premier race in the British capital.

The Swiss rider, who also won the Tour prologue in 2004, clocked eight minutes, 50 seconds for the 7.9-kilometre (4.9-mile) time trial through downtown London.

Germany's Andreas Kloeden was second, 13 seconds behind, and American George Hincapie was third, 23 seconds off the leader's pace. Cancellara also spoiled the hopes of Britain's Bradley Wiggins, a close fourth, to bring victory to the home fans.

"I am really happy, that's for sure," said Cancellara, who will wear the leader's yellow jersey for today's first stage from London to Canterbury. "I will do the maximum to defend it."

Past classic landmarks

The 189 riders set off one by one in the race against the clock, zooming past London's classic landmarks like the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace, and through Hyde Park.

The three-week race started two years to the day since suicide bombers killed 52 people on London's public transit network and as the country confronts a new wave of terrorism.

At least 4,500 officers from London's Metropolitan Police were providing security, along with officers from other forces and a small unit of the French gendarmerie.

The last time the Tour came to Britain was in 1994, when an estimated two million people crowded the route.

Yesterday's ride took place on a cloudy day with patches of sunlight, beginning a 3,412 kilometre (2,120-mile) event that will feature six mountain hikes, three summit finishes and two individual time trials.