Durbridge wins prologue of Criterium du Dauphine

GRENOBLE, France (AP) - Promising Australian rider Luke Durbridge has won the prologue of the Criterium du Dauphine stage race Sunday, edging out defending champion Bradley Wiggins.

The 21-year-old Australian national time-trial champion bested the field over the quick 5.7-kilometer run through the streets of southeastern Grenoble in 6 minutes, 38 seconds. Wiggins, a Briton and Olympic champion who won the Paris-Nice race in March, was one second behind. Andriy Grivko of Ukraine was third, another two seconds back.

Durbridge says "I'm speechless. I didn't expect this at all.''

The week-long Criterium du Dauphine is seen as a key preparation for the Tour de France, which begins June 30 in Liege, Belgium. Durbridge will sport the race leader's yellow jersey for Monday's 187-kilometer first stage from Seyssins to Saint-Vallier.