Dutchman Niki Terpstra (Milram) takes over the race lead after stage three. (Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
Niki Terpstra (Team Milram) powered to the victory in the prologue of the Ster Elektrotoer with a blistering 51.86 km/h effort over the parcours in the centre of Gement. The Dutchman donned his second yellow jersey in a week after his stage win and stint in the leader's jersey at the Dauphiné.
"I am very happy. When I saw the course, I hoped that I could do well here," said Terpstra. "That it was good enough for first place is of course fantastic. Apparently, yellow is my colour. I will try to defend the jersey - I can, because we have a good team. Our team will be highly motivated for the next few days and we will do all we can to hold on to the overall lead"
Terpstra leads his compatriot Lieuwe Westra (Vacansoleil) by two seconds in the general classification. Westra had his own success in France before coming to the Tour, having won the Tour de Picardie last month.
In third was Piet Rooijakkers (Skil-Shimano), with Quick Step's Tom Boonen following in fourth.
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