Switzerland’s Fabian Cancellara is hoping for a repeat of his yellow jersey feat in 2004 when he tackles the prologue of the Tour de France in Liege, today.

Since his 02sec victory over Lance Armstrong in the Belgian city eight years ago, Cancellara has become one of the most successful riders in the peloton.

A record four-time world time trial champion, the man from Berne is the reigning Olympic champion in the discipline and remains a dominant force in the tough one-day classics.

However, a mediocre classics campaign has taken the shine off Cancellara’s star, adding to the woes of a RadioShack team that has been devoid of major victories, the memory of 2004 is spurring the Swiss on.

With only three victories so far this season, including the national time trial crown, victory today would more than make amends for the 31-year-old.

“Winning the prologue in Liege (in 2004) was the first victory of my career on a truly global scale, especially beating Armstrong by two seconds,” said the Swiss, who since then has added four stage wins to his Tour tally.

“I still cherish the memory, especially when it allowed me to wear the yellow jersey.

“Hopefully I can do the same this year. I’m not saying I’m going to win, but I will be giving it my absolute maximum.”

Although only 6.4 km long, the opening prologue has been described as a technically challenging course that will favour big powerful riders.

Among Cancellara’s biggest challengers, at least on paper, is Germany’s Tony Martin, who last year succeeded the Swiss as world champion having won the final, long time trial of the 2011 Tour.

Britain’s Bradley Wiggins, of Team Sky, is this year’s favourite for overall victory.

But he cannot be ruled out of prologue contention having finished second to Australian Luke Durbridge in the opening time trial (5.7 km) of the Criterium Dauphine in June, four seconds ahead of Martin.