Once again, Gerolsteiner went into Saturday's time trial stage with high hopes, and once again, their hopes were dashed. Only Sebastian Lang, fighting a cold, was able to do well and uphold the team's honour, finishing fifth on the day, 3'18 down on the winner.
Markus Fothen had planned to win back the white jersey for best young rider, being only five seconds behind Damiano Cunego in that ranking. But it wasn't to be. Cunego finished a surprising 31 seconds ahead of Fothen. "I did everything I could," said Fothen. "But Cunego simply had a fantastic time trial."
Holczer took it philosophically. "You take it as it comes. Markus had a good time trial. And you have to remember that he finished behind someone who two years ago won the Giro d'Italia."
