ASSEN, Netherlands -- Pre-stage favorite Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland secured victory in the Tour of Spain's opening time trial on Saturday.
The Saxo Bank rider completed the 4.8-kilometer course on Assen's motorcycle circuit nine seconds ahead of Belgian Tom Boonen, with American Tyler Farrar in the third spot.
Cancellara also won the opening time trial in this year's Tour de France.
"I wouldn't have bet on me winning because I haven't raced much since the Tour," the 28-year-old told reporters.
"But when I was doing my pre-stage warmup I said to myself I had to go out and do my best regardless."
After averaging 54-kph for the opening prologue, Cancellara said: "I didn't go as fast as [motorcycle champion] Valentino Rossi when he won the grand prix here but I still went pretty quick".
The winner of the 2008 Olympic time trial and world time trial champion of 2006 and 2007, Cancellara added the huge crowds that lined the route acted as extra motivation.
"Racing in an arena like this motorbike circuit doesn't happen very often in cycling and when the crowds are as big as today's it spurs you on," said the Swiss.
Cancellara said he expected a tough fight to defend the leader's jersey in the Vuelta's stages in Netherlands and Belgium.
"We'll be at the front as best we can all of the time, even though it'll be windy and rainy so the racing will be difficult," he said.
"But I've won races like Paris-Roubaix here in northern Europe before so I know how to handle myself in these conditions.
"My team, too, know what it means to be on the front in a major Tour."
Italian Ivan Basso was the best placed of the favorites for overall victory, finishing 18 seconds back in the eighth spot. Spain's Alejandro Valverde was ninth, and Australian Cadel Evans 12th.
The Tour ends in Madrid on Sept. 20.
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