Will Clarke took the yellow jersey at the prologue of the Herald Sun Tour in Melbourne on Wednesday (3 February).

Will Clarke of team Drapac won the 2.1-kilometre individual time trial on Wednesday for the second year running.

The local rider will be hoping his good start can help him better his 2014 Herald Sun Tour finish of 10th place.

The favourite for the stage, Australian rider Caleb Ewan, managed to yet again pick up a second place finish.

Clarke completed the time trial in 2:34:27 with Ewan less than a second behind, crossing the line in 2:35:15.

SOUNDBITE (English) Will Clarke, prologue winner:

(on the results being a repeat of last year)

"It was close again. It was nearly the exact same time difference between us as last year. I think we both went a little bit quicker, but it was a nervous wait, those 40 minutes before Caleb (Ewan) came through."

Chris Froome put in a solid performance, finishing 25th just eight seconds off the lead.

The double Tour de France winner still has his preferred mountainous courses to come as Stage 1 takes the riders around the hilly terrain of Healesville.

The Team Sky rider will be looking to show his pedigree on this 126.1-kilometre trail.