Australia’s Michael Matthews wins Tour of Romandie prologue

The overall leader Michael Matthews from Australia of team Sunweb is kissed by two hostesses on the podium. ((Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via AP)

FRIBOURG, Switzerland — Michael Matthews of Australia won the opening Tour of Romandie prologue on Tuesday for his first victory of the season.

Matthews was one second faster than Tom Bohli of Switzerland on the 4-kilometre (2-1/2 mile) route around Fribourg. Primoz Roglic of Slovenia was third.

After a stellar 2017, when he won two Tour de France stages and the green jersey as most consistent finisher, Matthews had a low-key European spring season.

The Team Sunweb rider told Swiss broadcaster RTS it was a "massive relief" to get his first win.

The six-day race through Switzerland’s French-speaking region continues Wednesday with a 166-kilometre (103-mile) ride from Fribourg to Delemont. It includes three category 2 climbs.

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