A solo ride by Europcar's David Veilleux saw the Canadian win the opening stage of the 2013 Criterium Du Dauphine.
This warm up for the Tour De France, won twice by Team Sky and last year by Sir Bradley Wiggins, started in Switzerland with a 121km stage starting and finishing in Champéry.
David Veilleux (Europcar), Thomas Damuseau (Argos Shimano), Jean-Marie Bideau (Bretagne - Seche Environnement) and Ricardo Garcia (Euskaltel) took a lead of 9.40 before Tony Martin decided to chase them down.
The Tour of Belgium winner a week ago, closed to within 4.14 of the leaders with 55kms remaining.
The Col du Corbier was next for the four escapers and David Veilleux was first over the summit to take the fifteen points on offer whilst further down the road, British Champion Ian Stannard, who is being linked with moves away from Team Sky, was doing a fine turn on the front of the peloton.
Martin was second over the summit, some two minutes down on Veilleux, who had a lead over the peloton of 5'24 with 32km to go.
Damuseau and Garcia took over from Martin in the pursuit of Veilleux and on the final climb of the day, got to within thirty seconds of the Team Europcar rider.
Veillieux got back to a minute clear of his two chasers as the likes of De Gendt, Boasson-Hagen and Talansky were all dropped by the peloton which had Alberto Contador and Chris Froome, two favourites for the Tour De France close to the fore.
On the final Category three climb of the day to the finish, the lead went out to two minutes but as Damuseau and Garcia were caught by the peloton, Ivan Santaromita attacked but was caught by the peloton with 500ms to go.
David Veilleux ensured that the job was done and celebrated his win as he crossed the line in 3.17.05 with Gianni Meersman finishing second, Tom Slagter was third, Richie Porte fourth with Chris Froome fifth.
Stage Two is 191kms long and from Chatel to Oyonnax.