Rohan Dennis storms to record time trial in Tour de France
Australian claims leader's yellow jersey on opening day of classic in Utrecht, Netherlands
Australia's Rohan Dennis was in blistering form to ride the fastest individual time trial in Tour de France history in winning the opening stage of this year's race in Utrecht, Netherlands.
He clocked 14 minutes and 56 seconds at an average speed of 55.446 km/h for the 13.8km course on Saturday, with German Tony Martin five seconds behind in second.
I left it all out there; I went off harder than what I thought I should have and I came back harder than what I thought I could
Former Olympic champion Chris Boardman set the previous record with 55.152 km/h over a 7.2km prologue in 1994.
Four-time world champion Fabian Cancellara came in third behind Martin.
In the race for the overall title, reigning champion Vincenzo Nibali stole a march on his main rivals among the fantastic four.
Nibali finished in 15:39 to beat Chris Froome by seven seconds with Alberto Contador at 14 seconds and Nairo Quintana losing 18 seconds to the Italian.
"I've broken a dry spell of wins and what a way to do it," said a delighted Dennis, 25, an Olympic silver medallist on the track three years ago in the team pursuit.