Millar wins Tour of Spain prologue

Prologue specialist Millar off to a flyer in Salamanca

Scotland's David Millar won the opening stage of the 2001 Tour of Spain in the 12-kilometre time trial around Salamanca on Saturday.

The 24-year-old Scot, who rides for the Cofidis team, clocked 14 minutes 56 seconds on the twisting circuit around the ancient university town.

The Scot said he had ridden well within himself.

"I did not want to risk any crashes because I was thinking about what had happened to me in the Tour de France prologue, when I went down in the second-last corner."

A year ago Millar won the 2000 Tour de France prologue and the win in Salamanca was the Scot's second victory in the opening stage of a major Tour in his five-year career.

"This is as important a win," Millar said.

Colombia's Santiago Botero, the 1999 Tour de France King of the Mountains, was runner-up in the Salamanca prologue, just a second adrift of Millar.

Levy Leipheimer of the United States came in third a further five seconds behind.

Courageous

Last year's race winner Roberto Heras, finished in 33rd place, conceding 46 seconds to Millar.

Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano and Joseba Beloki, who are expected to challenge strongly for this year's Tour, finished in fourth and fifth place respectively.

The most courageous ride of the day came from Marcos Serrano of the Once team.

The Spaniard fell badly on one of the tricky early curves, but picked himself up to finish the course in a time of just over 22 minutes.

Millar gets to wear gold

He later withdrew from the race after doctors diagnosed a fractured collar bone.

Sunday's second stage is a 147.2 km run between Salamanca and Valladolid.

"I will now try and defend the maillot de oro (race leader's gold jersey) as long as possible," said Millar.

"But my main objective for the race continues to be the three flat time-trials in this year's Vuelta."

Leading placings in the first stage of the Tour of Spain.

1. David Millar (UK) Cofidis 14 minutes 56 seconds
2. Santiago Botero (Co) Kelme 1 second behind
3. Levy Leipheimer (USA) US Postal 6
4. Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano (Spa) ONCE 17
5. Joseba Beloki (Spa) Once 23
6. David Plaza (Spa) Festina 24
7. Jose Gutierrez (Spa) Kelme 25
8. Mikel Zarrabeitia (Spa) Once 26
9. Joerg Jaksche (Ger) Once same time
10. Pedro Horrillo (Spa) Mapei 28