ASSEN, Netherlands, Aug 29, 2009 (AFP) – Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara of the Saxo Bank team won the Tour of Spain opening prologue on Saturday which took place hundreds of miles away from Spain at Assen’s motorcycling circuit in northern Holland

Cancellara, who also won the first stage of the Tour de France this year in Monaco, covered the 4.8km stage in 5min 20sec, nine seconds ahead of Belgian star Tom Boonen, and 12sec in front of third-placed Tyler Farrar.

Controversial Kazakh Alexandre Vinokourov, making his big race return after a two-year doping suspension, was seventh on the day, 18sec behind the winner.

He clocked the same time as Italy’s Ivan Basso.

Race favorite Alejandro Valverde of Spain was in ninth spot, 18sec off the pace.

“It was a circuit for the strong men; the times show it,” said Cancellara. “I did what I had to do.”

Vinokourov, who recently returned from a two-year doping ban handed out for blood doping at the 2007 Tour de France and is heading the Astana challenge, was jeered by spectators.

Vinokourov Rides With The Wave Of Boo’s From The Spectators

Valverde, meanwhile, admitted the surface had posed particular problems.

“When I saw the rain fall halfway through, I was very worried about riding on such a slippy surface, but happily it got drier,” said the Spaniard, who was installed as race favorite in the absence of compatriot Alberto Contador, the Tour de France winner.

On a tricky day, with rain and strong winds, Scotland’s David Millar was in 15th place, 21sec off the pace.

Another top rider, Luxemburg’s Andy Schleck suffered most, finishing way back in 123rd spot, 38sec behind Cancellara.

On Sunday, the second stage of the race takes place between Assen and Emmen over 203km with the sprinters expected to be to the fore.

However, strong winds, gusting up to 50km/h could prove their undoing.