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World time trial champion 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Tony Martin (168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Omega Pharma-QuickStep) set the fastest time at the first time check 🌊during Saturday's Tour de France prologue in Liège only to fall victim to a mechanical.

Much had been expected of the dual between the German and eventual winner, Fabian Cancellara (RadioShack-Nissan) in the build up to the 6.4km race against the clock, but it was the time of Martin's teammate 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Sylvain Chavanel which♌ rest🌸ored some pride for the high-flying Belgian squad.

Martin looked to be on course🏅 for the yellow jersey when a flat tire saw him dramatically back off the pace.

"I had a flat tire after the first split time," Martin said. "I could feel that I was slipping away on the last roundabout and thought 'OK, maybe it's just a little bit slippery,' but then I realized I had a flat in the back and had to change the bike. I think it was a quick change, but it kills the morale and the rhythm✱. I'm really disappointed.

"I still have a good time, and I think would have a made a really good time without the flat tire," he continued. "I wanted to fight for the yellow. I'm disappointed, but I thought 'just keep on fighting, the long time trials are coming.' I ca🦩n tell I have very good condition and now I have t🌞o fight now for the next time trial."

Despite the misfortune, Martin stꦍill posted a time that would fall 23 seconds o🧔ff the winning pace of Cancellara.

French ch🧸rono champion Chavanel, celebrating his 33rd birthday, was 113th rider out of the start gate in Liege with over an hour to wait to see if his time of 0:07:20 would stand up to the traditional time trial powerhouses.

"I did a great race," Chavanel said. "I wanted to make a good performance. From the beginning of the season I'm doing good in the time trials. I knew that the specialists could have beat me, but I'm super happy in any case. I have no regrets. I really did my best to honour my brand new French champion jersey. It's a third place in a prologue of the tour against the best time trialists of the wor💖ld.

"I'm disappointed for the flat tire of Tony," he explained. "Today he was real꧟ly strong and he could have fought with Cancellara until the end. The Tour is just getting started. I have time to try to attack and do something good. Today is my birthday and even without a victory, we are going to celebrate!"

Chavanel's time endured, and was matched by Bradley Wiggins (Sky) and usurped by Cancella💛ra.

Martin will get another chance for a showdown with Cancellara on Stage 9 with a 41.5km time trial between Arc-et-Senans and Besançon.