Italian Paolo Savoldelli (Astana) won the prologue of the Tour de Romandie on Tuesday, leaving his main rivals trailing in the hilly 3.5km time trial through the streets of Fribourg.

The 34-year-old, two-time Giro winner claimed his fourth prologue win in the Swiss race, finishing with a five-second lead over Czech Roman Kreuziger (Liquigas) and seven seconds ahead of third-placed American Chris Horner (Predictor-Lotto).

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"I didn't come here to win but to test myself and to do the best possible," Savoldelli said after tackling the long steep climb and a flat sprint to the finishing line. "You needed really good legs to win today and make it through the final kilometer.”

Last year's Romandie winner, Australian Cadel Evans, finished out of the top 10, nearly 20 seconds behind the leader, leaving teammate Horner to take a place on the podium.

Horner says the legs are coming around

Photo: Graham Watson

"My legs weren't too bad already in Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Here it's getting better and better," Horner said. "Cadel's doing well, too, and we're both aiming for the final podium."

Evans, who lives in a nearby Swiss village, has vowed to defend his title.

"My preparation revolves around the Tour de France. I want to be in my best form in July. The Tour de Romandie is the first big event of the season. I'll do my best to defend my title," the Australian told L'Impartial newspaper.

After soft hills and a flat stage, the six-day Tour de Romandie winds into the Swiss mountains on the fourth day and concludes with a time trial around Lausanne next Sunday.

The 667km Swiss race is wedged between the northern French and Belgian one-day classics on the Pro Tour and the Giro d'Italia.

The organizers are trying to relaunch the race as a training ground for all-rounders before the Giro, which starts on May 12.

Tour de Romandie
Prologue
1. Paolo Savoldelli (I), Astana, 3.5km in 4:35
2. Roman Kreuziger (Cz), Liquigas, at 0:05
3. Christopher Horner (USA), Predictor-Lotto, at 0:07
4. Andrey Kashechkin (Kaz), Astana, at 0:09
5. Sandy Casar (F), Française des Jeux, at 0:10
6. Andrey Mizurov (Kaz), Astana, at 0:10
7. Brett Lancaster (Aus), Milram, at 0:11
8. Hubert Schwab (Swi), Quick Step-Innergetic, at 0:11
9. Rigoberto Uran (Col), Unibet.com, at 0:11
10. Jurgen Van Den Broeck (B), Predictor-Lotto, at 0:11

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