In-form German Jens Voigt became the first UCI ProTour winner thanks to his victory in the Paris-Nice prologue yesterday.
The CSC rider, winner of five races this season, outpaced the 167 other riders at the start of the short time trial in five minutes and 15 seconds on a 4-km course which did not inspire Lance Armstrong.
The six-times Tour de France winner, who had insisted the "Race to the Sun" was only a preparation event, was a disappointing 140th, 27 seconds behind Voigt.
Officials hope the ProTour will help restore the credibility of the troubled sport. Between now and October, the 20 teams will race another 26 events, including the Tour de France.