With Nico Denz setting the fastest time relatively early on with an effort of 7.29, the BORA - hansgrohe rider could have finished even quicker had his chain not come off in the 100ms or so.
20-year-old Juan Ayuso, in his first competitive ride since finishing on the podium at last year's Vuelta a Espana impressed, coming home in 7.37.
Former World Champion Rui Costa had a nightmare start as his chain ring seemingly snapped as he attempted to push off from the start ramp. With no spare time-trial bike, Costa was forced to gingerly try again on a traditional road bike.
After a long time in the hot seat, Denz was finally dethroned by
Soudal - Quick-Step's former three-time Czech Republic national time-trial champion, Josef Černý's time of 7.25.
INEOS Grenadiers Ethan Hayter came close to threatening Cerny's leading time but was edged out by just five seconds with his time of 7.30.
Josef Cerny's teammate Remi Cavagna then came within a second of taking the lead before the current time-trial world champion
Tobias Foss missed out by just 0.29 seconds.