Ethan Vernon edges out Mads Pedersen to prologue victory at the Deutschland Tour

Ethan Vernon has taken victory in a brutally quick prologue at the Deutschland Tour, securing himself the leader's jersey at this early stage.

The race begins with a 2.3-kilometre prologue in St. Wendel. It is a day that will set the first race leader and could see small changes in the GC which will affect the order into the key stages.

This short, full gas blast to open the race was open for various times of riders. Some of the quick early times came from the likes of Ilan van Wilder and Marco Haller but as some of the later riders started their efforts, Sam Bennett was in the lead by just 0.22 of a second.

Danny van Poppel then dethroned Bennett from the hot seat leaving a trio of BORA-hansgrohe riders in the top 3 momentarily.

So tight were the time gaps that every second lost at the line was worth around 10 places in the classification.

Van Poppel was then unseated by Maikel Zijlaard of the Tudor Pro Cycling Team before Alexander Kristoff, looking in some considerable pain, crossed the line over 17 seconds down.

Ethan Vernon then set a marker down of his form, dethroning Zijlaard for the lead. Moments later Mads Pedersen crossed the line a very close second behind Vernon.

Last rider down the start ramp was Brandon McNulty, dressed in the stars and stripes of American national champion. He finished 28th, giving the Brit from Soudal - Quick-Step the victory.