With the race switching from a team to individual time trial format, Dyball capitalised on his experience from last year to power up the mountain in just over 46 minutes.

Battling wind, rain and fog on the 17km ascent, the New South Welshman managed to gain a 10-second advantage on National Capital Tour victor Bevin heading into today’s stage two.

‘‘It’s one of, or probably even the hardest first stage I’ve ever had in a tour,’’ the yellow jersey holder admitted.

‘‘It wasn’t too bad until the last six or seven kilometres when it started to get a little windy, but then the last four kilometres were very windy and cold.’’

Early leader Bevin spent most of his day in the hot seat after posting a solid time of 46 minutes 22.43 seconds, before an impressive race from Dyball (46:12.72).

‘‘The team set up a schedule that we were riding to, and I knew I was a bit up on what we’d done as a team last year.

‘‘I think at the 4km to go mark I knew I was roughly with Bevin, so I was obviously on a good time,’’ Dyball added.

After a strong showing in Canberra, New Zealander Bevin was determined to continue his form.

‘‘It was a very good ride – we’d pre-rode the course, and I thought that maybe I might surprise a few people,’’ he said.

 ‘‘Second is a good place to be with the week ahead.

‘‘I was off early hoping to miss as much of the weather as we could, but I was wet from 10 kilometres to go. 

‘‘It was just about getting up and holding an even tempo the whole way, because if you blow on a climb like that you’re going to go backwards really badly,’’ Bevin said.

With Australia’s only ProContinental team, Drapac, in Tasmania alongside National Road Series leaders Avanti, Bevin’s Search2Retain team will face a significant challenge to repeat its win in Canberra.

Stage two will present a challenge for tired legs as the peloton race through dramatic Tasmanian scenery from the banks of Lake Pedder to New Norfolk.

The Tour of Tasmania is a six-stage tour concluding in Devonport on Sunday.

 RESULTS: Stage 1 — 1. Ben DYBALL (ART) 46:12.72; 2. Patrick BEVIN (STR) +10; 3. Timothy ROE (BFL) +44; 4. Lachlan NORRIS (DPC) +56; 5. Joseph COOPER (ART) +56; 6. Michael CROSBIE (AWS) +1:15; 7. Brendan CANTY (STR) +1:16; 8 . Mark TUPALSKI (ART) +1:17; 9. Josh BERRY (CRT) +1:20; 10. Nicholas KATSONIS (CHM) +1:37