Fabian Cancellara was the great favorite for the 2,7km prologue in the 2011 Tour of Luxembourg and the Swiss rider didn't disappoint. He stormed around the course in 3'42, five seconds ahead of Damien Gaudin (Europcar). Jimmy Engoulvent, who won the prologue 12 months ago, came in third, eight seconds back.
Cancellara rides for Luxembourg-registered Leopard-Trek team, so it was a home game for the Swiss chrono specialist. A lot of fans came out to see a Leopard-Trek rider win. "What a crowd," Cancellara tweeted after the race. "Thanks LUX supporters," he added. He dedicated his win to Wouter Weylandt, who lost his life in a Giro d'Italia crash in May. "For you WW."
Cancellara took over the leader's jersey, but Romain Feillu is only 11 seconds behind. With some time bonuses he could take over from Cancellara. Feillu has already won six sprints this season.
Tomorrow's stage 1 is a 193-kilometer stage from Luxembourg to Bascharage.
Results prologue 2.7 kilometer
1. CANCELLARA Fabian 03'42"
2. GAUDIN Damien 05"
3. ENGOULVENT Jimmy 08"
4. FEILLU Romain 11"
5. HAYMAN Mathew 11"