French Outsider Gets Inside Track In First Leg Of Tour

Outsider Jacky Durand of France made the most of the early dry weather Saturday to win the prologue time trial of the Tour de France as the favorites saw their hopes washed away in a rainstorm.

Tony Rominger of Switzerland and four-time defending champion Miguel Indurain of Spain were unwilling to take risks during the 4.5-mile time trial, and finished well down in the provisional standings.

Durand, a local hero, crossed the finish line in 9 minutes, beating Thierry Laurent by 2 seconds and Francis Moreau by 3, as Frenchmen finished 1-2-3 on the opening day of the Tour. Rominger was 26 seconds behind, 5 seconds ahead of Indurain, who finished 35th.