Cameron Meyer (Orica-GreenEdge) was the surprise winner of the opening time trial of the 2013 Tour de Suisse on Saturday after benefitting from a change in the weather.
Meyer was one of the earlier riders off in the short 8.1-kilomtere test against the clock around Quinto and enjoyed calm conditions to set a time of nine minutes and 39 seconds. As he sat in the hot seat, the wind gained speed, with later riders facing a stiff headwind on much of the rolling course.
Even home favourite Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack) could do little to counter the breeze, and finished outside the top ten - in 16th place, at 22 seconds. This was still a remarkable ride given the dramatic change in weather conditions.
Niki Terpstra (Omega Pharma) placed second at 10 seconds, with Heinrich Haussler (IAM Cycling) in third at 14 seconds.
The stage wasn't one that suited the British contingent, with David Millar (Garmin-Sharp) posting the fastest time among ths Brits in 111st place, 56 seconds adrift of Meyer.
Tomorrow (Sunday), the riders face a climb to Crans-Montana for a mountain-top finish.
Results
Tour de Suisse 2013, stage one: Quinto to Quinto, 8.1km time trial
1. Cameron Meyer (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge in 9-39
2. Niki Terpstra (Ned) Omega Pharma-QuickStep at 10 secs
3. Heinrich Haussler (Aus) IAM Cycling at 14 secs
4. Alex Rasmussen (Den) Garmin-Sharp at 15 secs
5. Gorka Verdugo (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi at 16 secs
6. Reto Hollenstein (Swi) IAM Cycling at 16 secs
7. Michel Koch (Ger) Cannondale at 18 secs
8. Peter Velits (Svk) Omega Pharma-QuickStep at 19 secs
9. Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin-Sharp at 19 secs
10. Matteo Tosatto (Ita) Saxo-Tinkoff at 19 secs
Other
16. Fabian Cancellara (Swi) RadioShack-Leopard at 22 secs
111. David Millar (GBr) Garmin-Sharp at 56 secs
123. Luke Rowe (GBr) Sky at 1-02
126. Josh Edmondson (GBr) Sky at 1-03
134. Andy Schleck (Lux) RadioShack-Leopard at 1-06
141. Jonthan Tiernan-Locke (GBr) Sky at 1-09
161. Ben Swift (GBr) Sky at 1-23
Overall classification after stage one
1. Cameron Meyer (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge in 9-39
2. Niki Terpstra (Ned) Omega Pharma-QuickStep at 10 secs
3. Heinrich Haussler (Aus) IAM Cycling at 14 secs
4. Alex Rasmussen (Den) Garmin-Sharp at 15 secs
5. Gorka Verdugo (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi at 16 secs
6. Reto Hollenstein (Swi) IAM Cycling at 16 secs
7. Michel Koch (Ger) Cannondale at 18 secs
8. Peter Velits (Svk) Omega Pharma-QuickStep at 19 secs
9. Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin-Sharp at 19 secs
10. Matteo Tosatto (Ita) Saxo-Tinkoff at 19 secs
Other
16. Fabian Cancellara (Swi) RadioShack-Leopard at 22 secs
111. David Millar (GBr) Garmin-Sharp at 56 secs
123. Luke Rowe (GBr) Sky at 1-02
126. Josh Edmondson (GBr) Sky at 1-03
134. Andy Schleck (Lux) RadioShack-Leopard at 1-06
141. Jonthan Tiernan-Locke (GBr) Sky at 1-09
161. Ben Swift (GBr) Sky at 1-23
Ben Swift
Andy Schleck
Fabian Cancellara
Cameron Meyer
Related links
Tour de Suisse 2013: The Big Preview
Tour de Suisse 2013: Who will win?
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