On paper Fabian Cancellara was one of the favourites for today's opening time trial of the Tour de Suisse but after he had missed important training due to a recent crash, he was a bit uncertain about what to expect. The quadruple ended the stage in fourth and was pleased with the outcome.

Tour de Suisse commenced with a 9.4-kilometer individual time trial that included a sharp and twisty two-kilometer climb folowd by a tricky descent. It was a short, intense race where the specialists against the clock, and riders with explosive power, excelled.

Tony Martin (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) set the benchmark time of 13:48, quickest by 13 seconds to that point. It upheld to the end; only Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Shimano) would come close, posting a 13:54, six seconds off the pace. Rohan Dennis (Garmin-Sharp) finished 13 seconds behind for third, while Fabian Cancellara stopped the clock a further 16 seconds off Martin’s time for fourth.

“There were three parts: the flat, uphill and downhill," Cancellara said. "For me I had a decent start. From the car I heard that I did a really, really good climb. I made a good progression – did not start too fast, or too slow – I was steady, in a good rhythm. 

"In the downhill I went down with less risk than usual, and I think that was mostly due to my crash last week. It made me brake more on the descent; I did not want to crash again.

"In the end I made a good TT and I am happy about it.  [General manager] Luca Guercilena and [director] Kim Andersen were in car that followed me, and they were very happy with the ride, and that’s also important because they have known me for many years. I think when they are so positive about the performance, that means a lot, and give me more confidence for the coming days.”

Fabian Cancellara did not have high expectations for the opening day after missing crucial training leading into the race, a result of a high-speed training crash a week prior. Moreover, he is in the initial phase of his progression back to top form after his rest from a highly successful spring. Nevertheless, he was motivated. It was a race in his home country, and a race he has done 11 times. The support of the Swiss fans gave him an extra edge, helping him to a high place finish; a clear sign he is well on his way to finding the old 'Spartacus'form again.

“I knew it was going to be really tough, really hard," he said. "I am really happy about my performance because I did the maximum and that is what really counts for me today. To be with the front riders in this prologue, this time trial, I am pretty satisfied. I also had other circumstances; not the right training with the crash, and those few things in the end can make the difference.

“It was immense at the start, just crazy, like a football [soccer] stadium roaring. And then again when I sprinted into the finish. The home crowd made a difference – all the people cheering on the sides of the roads – that helped me a lot. I have to say thanks to them for supporting me. But now the real Tour de Suisse starts with hard stages and climbs.”

With his win Tony Martin donned the first leader's jersey for the nine day race. However, it may be a short-lived affair with tomorrow's stage already tackling the high mountains. The 182-kilometer stage two heads into the Alps and scales two hors catégorie climbs along the way. Tomorrow will be a day for Fränk Schleck as he hones his final form in preparation for the Tour de France in July.