Australian cyclist Stuart O'Grady has enjoyed a strong start to his European campaign, tying for third in the Paris-Nice prologue.

O'Grady, of the French Credit Agricole team, finished the 4.8km time trial, five seconds behind Belgian Nico Mattan.

The Australian road champion was joined by French Cofidis rider Philippe Gaumont, while United States rider Tyler Hamilton of the Danish CSC team was second.

For Mattan, some recent time trial training paid off.

"I've been training specially for this prologue," he said.

"During the week I've worked a lot on my intensity on a bike with a sloping frame and riding behind a derny."

The 31-year-old was off form last year following a fruitful 2001 season with victories in the Paris-Nice prologue, the Three Days of La Panne, GP Ouest-France and the Tour du Piedmont.

However, Mattan's determination to move up from his current world ranking of 149 seems to be shaping up nicely.

He will look to protect his lead going into the first stage, a 191.5km ride from Auxerre to Paray-le-Monial.

Race co-favourite Dario Frigo, the Italian who rides for Fassa Bortolo and who won here in 2001, is sitting six seconds behind Mattan with Frenchman Laurent Brochard a further second behind.

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