Geraint Thomas will wear the leader’s yellow jersey at the Tour de France on Sunday after taking a surprise victory on Saturday’s opening stage in Dusseldorf.
In wet, windy and difficult conditions, Thomas won the 14km time-trial as German hope and four-time world champion Tony Martin could finish only fourth.
Reigning Tour champion and Thomas’s Sky team leader Chris Froome finished sixth but gained time on his main overall rivals.
Tour de France contender Nairo Quintana suffered a blow as key teammate Alejandro Valverde crashed out.
Valverde, who was third two years ago, came down hard on a slippery bend in miserable wet conditions and was visibly in great pain.
His Movistar team announced on Twitter a few minutes later that he could not continue.
“Unfortunately @aljandrovalverde cannot continue in the race. What sadness to finish a Tour on the first day,” said Movistar.
Spaniard Valverde seemed to jar his left leg when he touched his foot down as he lost his back wheel, before skidding into the barriers.
