Swiss cyclist Fabian Cancellara has won the first stage of the Tour de Suisse, and finished strong on the second day to defend his lead.

The Olympic gold medallist won the time trial in Liechenstein on Saturday and finished only a few seconds behind the winner in Sunday's 150km race.

Cancellara clocked a time of nine minutes and 21 seconds for the opening stage, beating defending Tour de Suisse champion Roman Kreuziger by 19 seconds. Andreas Klöden was third, 22 seconds behind.

The Swiss found his form again on the course from Mauren to Ruggell, ten months after his win in the Olympic time trial in Beijing and bronze medal in the road race.

On Sunday, Cancellara remained strong, staying near the front of the main pack of riders in pursuit of a small breakaway group.

The gap closed in the last few kilometres of the mountain race that started and finished in Davos.

The second stage was won by Bernhard Eisel of Austria.

After the two initial days, Cancellara now has a 22 second lead.

It is the third year that Cancellara has worn the leader jersey in the Tour de Suisse, after 2003 and 2007.

Monday's stage begins in Davos and ends 195km later in Lumino in southern Switzerland. The cyclists will have to ascend more than 2,200 metres in altitude during the day.

swissinfo.ch with agencies

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