Hushovd overtook long-standing leader Sebastian Lang on the 7.1 kilometre stage. Lang finished fourth, eight minutes 17.00 seconds. American George Hincapie, the last man out, had to settle for second, 0.73secs adrift, with David Zabriskie third.

Hushovd, a powerful sprinter who won last year's Green Jersey, is not a contender for the overall title because he tends to struggle in the mountains. He held the yellow jersey for a day in the 2004 Tour but surprised many, if not himself, by taking the opening time-trial, posting the winning time with 11 riders, including several specialists, still to follow. "I managed to find a good rhythm at the start and I knew I had a chance to do something good after I came fifth (in the prologue) in 2004, " he said. "This year I've worked a bit on my timetrial bike and I am used to it.

I am happy with my time and it is a great start to the Tour."

Hincapie, taking over the leadership of the Discovery Channel team in the wake of Lance Armstrong's retirement, is now a contender for the overall title after the withdrawals of Ivan Basso and Jan Ullrich, caught up in a doping investigation. He was unhappy not to pip Hushovd in the final ride of the day, throwing his bike and helmet to the ground in anger after crossing the finish line. Spaniard Alejandro Valverde, the new Tour favourite, made a strong start, only four seconds adrift alongside Australian Stuart O'Grady.

Bradley Wiggins finished 16th on his Tour debut, a second and a place ahead of fellow Briton David Millar. Millar, a prologue winner in 2000 and runner-up in 2003, had entertained hopes of grabbing the yellow jersey on his return to competition after a two-year doping ban. But he insisted he was "ecstatic" with his 17thplace finish, 14 seconds adrift of Hushovd. "I am just so happy to be here, it's great, " said Millar. "I am not even disappointed. I had a great ride, but perhaps I under-estimated the difficulty of it. But I have got to be happy just being here and feeling that good all the way round."