ALEX Dowsett opened his debut Tour de France with a tough time-trial.

The Maldon-born Movistar rider’s attempt to claim the yellow jersey in the opening 13.8km time-trial stage, in Utrecht, on Saturday was made even harder by a record-breaking ride from Australia’s Rohan Denis.

Dennis rode the fastest individual time trial in Tour de France history to claim the win.

The Australian rode 13.8km in 14 minutes and 56 seconds at an average speed of 55.446 km/h, with German Tony Martin five seconds behind in second.

British time-trial champion, Dowsett, finished in 13th place, 36 seconds behind Denis.