Crédit Agricole's Thor Hushovd has delivered a brilliant performance in the first day of this year's Tour de France, taking the prologue victory in Strasbourg in front of George Hincapie (Discovery Channel) and CSC's Dave Zabriskie. The Norwegian sprinter was the fastest on the technical course of the 'Grand Départ', which was long dominated by German time trial champion Sebastian Lang (Gerolsteiner).
"I'm over the moon, of course," said Hushovd in the finish. "I had already done a good prologue in 2004, and now I've progressed. I'm better now, and I have more self-confidence. Still, I hadn't even dreamed about winning this prologue!" The 28 year-old gave the flowers to his mother, who was celebrating by the podium.
"My parents follow the Tour for the sixth time, and they are always beside me," he explained. "It's good for me because it makes me more relaxed."
