Tour De France 2015 Stage 1

Rohan Dennis rode the fastest individual time trial in Tour de France history to claim victory at the opening stage of this year's race in Utrecht.

The Australian rode 13.8km in 14 minutes and 56 seconds at an average speed of 55.446 km/h, with German Tony Martin five seconds behind in second.


Former Olympic champion Chris Boardman set the previous record with 55.152 km/h over a 7.2km prologue in 1994.


Steve Cummings was Britain's best rider in 10th, 32 seconds behind Dennis.


Of the top four contenders for overall victory at the 21-stage race, which ends in Paris on 26 July, defending champion Vincenzo Nibali placed highest in 22nd, 43 seconds behind Dennis.


Astana's Italian rider finished seven seconds ahead of Team Sky's Chris Froome, 15 seconds clear of Alberto Contador and 18 seconds ahead of Nairo Quintana.


BMC's Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara came third with a time of 15 minutes and two seconds, while Britons Geraint Thomas of Team Sky and Alex Dowsett of Movistar placed 12th and 13th respectively.


Cummings, 34, last rode the Tour in 2012 and this year is competing for the first African-based team to tackle cycling's most prestigious race, Team MTN-Qhubeka.


"Everything went perfectly," said Dennis, who will wear the leader's yellow jersey for the start of stage two on Sunday - a 166km ride along the Dutch coast that is likely to end in a bunch sprint.


"We went with the tactic of going out early and setting a benchmark and making everyone chase me," the 25-year-old added on ITV4.


"There's a bit of shock. To wear the Tour de France yellow jersey - it's a dream. I always wanted to be in this position and now I am."