CONFLANS-SAINTE-HONORINE, France (AP) Australian sprinter Michael Matthews won the Paris-Nice prologue on Sunday to grab the Race to the Sun's yellow jersey.
Matthews, a silver medalist at the road world championships last year, upset the time trial specialists to win the six-kilometer race against the clock in 7 minutes, 39 seconds.
Making his season debut, Matthews was one second faster than Tom Dumoulin of the Netherlands while New Zealand's Patrick Bevin ended third, another second back.
Paris-Nice defending champion Richie Porte finished 11th after clocking 7:49.
Matthews had already worn the Paris-Nice's leader jersey after winning a stage last year.
Among the overall contenders, Geraint Thomas posted the fastest time, seven seconds behind Matthews, with former Tour de France winner Alberto Contador lagging 16 seconds behind.
