World pursuit champion Bradley Wiggins (Cofidis) tore through the 4.2-kilometer prologue time trial of the 2007 Dauphiné Libéré, narrowly edging out defending Dauphiné champion Levi Leipheimer (Discovery) on Sunday.

Leipheimer... close, but no leader's jersey today.

Photo: Graham Watson

Wiggins covered the course in 4:50, one second better than Leipheimer and two seconds better than Andrey Kashechkin (Astana). Leipheimer's teammate George Hincapie rounded out the top four, three seconds off of Wiggins' time.

The 27-year-old Wiggins is looking to prove his credientials ahead of the Tour de France, with a prologue time trial that begins in London, just a few kilometers from his home. Wiggins also won the time-trial at the Four Days ofDunkirk last month.

Hincapie powered in to briefly take the lead and finished fourth on the day

Photo: Graham Watson

Fellow Briton David Millar (Saunier Duval), usually a prologue favorite, trailed his compatriot by six seconds, a gap that might be attributed to a violent storm that hampered early competitors.

Wiggins, a triple medal winner at the Athens Olympics, has made a good start as he bids to secure his place in the Cofidis team for the Tour de France which starts in London on July 7.

Zabriskie takes sixth

Photo: Graham Watson

Monday's 219km first stage between Grenoble and Roanne in the Loire Valley is largely flat and expected to favor sprinters.Results
1. Bradley Wiggins (GB), Cofidis, 4.2km in 4:50.42
2. Levi Leipheimer (USA), Discovery Channel, 4:51.87
3. Andrey Kashechkin (Kaz), Astana, 4:52.30
4. George Hincapie (USA), Discovery Channel, 4:52.54
5. Alejandro Valverde (Sp), Caisse d:Epargne, 4:53.32
6. Dave Zabriskie (USA), CSC, 4:53.94
7. Tom Boonen (B), Quick Step, 4:54.27
8. Nick Nuyens (F), Cofidis, 4:55.29
9. Egoi Martinez (Sp), Discovery Channel, 4:55.62
10. Sebastien Joly (F), Francaise des Jeux, 4:56.61
Full Results