Julian Alaphilippe, the other world champion but in road racing, did more than limit the damage: for his comeback the Frenchman from Quick-Step ranked 6th at 17 seconds from Ganna.

He had not raced since the Tour of Lombardy on October 9.

Filippo Ganna, as in Alès (Gard) on Sunday, released the horses in the streets of Berre l'Etang (Bouches-du-Rhône) by completing the 7.1 kilometer loop on the edge of the pond at an average of 52, 72 km/h.

He relegated his British teammate Ethan Hayter to twelve seconds and the Swede Tobias Ludvigsson (Groupama-FDJ) to thirteen seconds.

Thirteen seconds is also the gap that separates Ludvigsson, 3rd, from... 26th, the Frenchman Yoann Paillot.

Ganna was however not sure of taking the start of an event which had revealed him in 2019, when he had (already) won the prologue at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer.

"The program has changed", was limited to declaring the tall (1.93 m) and overpowered Piedmontese rider, officially announced leaving Wednesday evening only.

"He is the best rider in the world. He is obviously a model for me", assured Hayter, "very surprised" to finish just behind his teammate, impossible to beat in the time trial.

"Impossible to beat? No, nothing is impossible!", smiles Ganna: "I still have too many bad days in my season. This one starts well, but we still have to improve. My form is not as good than last year at the same time".

Alaphilippe, who felt his preparation was disturbed before the start of the race, is now the highest ranked favorite with his compatriot Pierre Latour (Total Energies), 5th at 15 seconds.

On the other hand, the Andean climbers have lost a lot of time: Nairo Quintana (Arkéa-Samsic) and Richard Carapaz (Ineos Grenadier) emerge over thirty seconds and last year's winner, Ivan Sosa (Movistar) is beyond of the minute.

Friday, the first stage will venture into the Camargue and will connect Istres to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer (Bouches-du-Rhône) over 151.8 km.

The wind will be the main adversary for the runners and in particular for the sprinters, to whom victory seems promised.

© 2022 AFP