Martin defends German time trial title
Gretsch, Schumacher round out podium behind reigning world champion
Tony Martin (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) successfully defended his German national time trial title, covering the 50km course in a time of 1:00:58. That was a minute and a half faster than the second-placed finisher, Patrick Gretsch (Argos-Shimano), who came in at 1:02.31. Third place went to Stefan Schumacher (Christina Watches), with a time of 1:02:51.
“I won by one and a half mintues. That shows me that my formis right going into the Tour, since the time trial competition in Germany is very good,” Martin said. “It was a totally normal time trial, uncomplicated, and the course suited me.”
Former World and German time trial champion, and Martin's Omega Pharma-QuickStep teammate, Bert Grabsch finished ninth, over five minutes down.
As defending champion Martin started the race last and it soon became obvious that the title would be his. He caught his two-minute man, Lars Teutenberg, at the halfway point, and also setting a new best time of 30:52. Both he and Teutenberg eventually caught and passed Grabsch, Martin's four-minute man, in the second half of the race.
1 | Tony Martin (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) | 1:00:58 |
2 | Patrick Gretsch (Team Argos-Shimano) | 0:01:33 |
3 | Stefan Schumacher (Christina Watches-Onfone) | 0:01:53 |
4 | Lars Teutenberg (FC Lexxi Speedbike) | 0:02:48 |
5 | Dominik Nerz (BMC Racing Team) | 0:03:18 |
6 | Nikias Arndt (Team Argos-Shimano) | 0:03:23 |
7 | Sven Forberger (Team NSP-Ghost) | 0:03:28 |
8 | Friedrich Meingast (RC Herpersdorf 1919) | 0:04:41 |
9 | Bert Grabsch (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) | 0:04:43 |
10 | Jan-Niklas Droste (Team Heizomat) | 0:05:22 |
11 | Giulio Focardi (Radsport Pur e.V.) | Row 10 - Cell 2 |
12 | Martin Reimer (MTN-Qhubeka) | 0:05:25 |
13 | Stefan Gaebel (RSV Speiche) | 0:06:17 |
14 | Kai Hliza (RSC Bad Dürkheim) | 0:06:30 |
15 | Nils Plötner (Team Stölting) | 0:07:22 |
16 | Nico Hesslich (RSC Cottbus) | 0:07:42 |
17 | Stefan Fussstetter (RSV Irschenberg) | Row 16 - Cell 2 |
18 | Sergej Fuchs (Team NSP-Ghost) | 0:07:59 |
19 | Enrico Heinowsky (Berliner TSC) | 0:09:42 |
20 | Sascha Starker (SSG Bensheim) | 0:10:11 |
21 | Richard Stockhausen (BIKE AID) | 0:10:20 |
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Latest on Cyclingnews
-
Josh Tarling: 'Things can only go up' at Ineos Grenadiers in 2025
20-year-old calls the challenge of bringing British team back to the top 'exciting' -
Best exercise bikes 2024: Boost your fitness with these home spin bikes
These are the best exercise bikes for training at home, whether you're taking part in classes with motivational trainers or smashing intervals on your own -
Pedro Delgado - 'The reign of Tadej Pogačar will be a dictatorship'
Former Tour de France winner predicts Pogačar will dominate cycling for next five years -
'He can be on the podium of a Grand Tour' - Matteo Jorgenson finds a perfect fit at Visma-Lease a Bike
USA rider talks Grand Tour potential and the difference between racing at Movistar to super team