Germany selects two Columbians for Worlds time trial

Team Columbia's Tony Martin and Bert Grabsch finished one-two in the closing time trial of the Deutschland Tour on Saturday, and that was enough to seal their nominations for the World Championships later this month in Varese, Italy. The Bund Deutsche Radfahrer (BDR) announced Sunday morning that the two would represent German in the World's time trial on September 25.

Martin, 23, is a first year pro with four victories this season. He won the Hel van het Mergelland, the prologue of the Ster Elktrotoer and time trials in the Tour de l'Ain and the Deutschland Tour. He was also second behind team-mate Marco Pinotti in the closing time trial of this year's Giro d'Italia.

Grabsch, 33, turned pro in 1997. He won the German national time trial title in 2007 and 2008. He won time trials this season in the Österreich Rundfahrt and the Sachsen Tour, in which he also took the overall title.

(Additional editorial assistance provided by Susan Westemeyer.)