T-Mobile speedster Gerald Ciolek won the sixth stage of the Tour of Germany after a sprint finish through the foothills of the Austrian Alps into Kufstein on Wednesday.

The 20-year-old German was the first home after covering the largely flat route from 175km from Laegenfeld in three hours, 57mins and 40 seconds as CSC's Jens Voigt retained the yellow jersey.

Ciolek had to work hard to hold off a challenge from the chasing pack including strong finishers such as Italians Danilo Napolitano, Paolo Bettini and German Erik Zabel which pushed him hard to the line.

"I waited until the last moment and I really attacked when I was in a good position, it was a bit too narrow on the right, but it wasn't a problem and I am very pleased with my tactics," Ciolek told German television station ARD.

"A victory on the German tour is something to savour and I am so pleased I have it under my belt," he added. "The team worked hard all day long for the victory to put me in the best possible position."

Sprinter Erik Zabel, who beat Ciolek at the end of the third stage to claim victory, had fewer chances to break through the pack and finished a disappointing ninth.

The race received a surprise visit from Dane Michael Rasmussen, the rider sacked by his team Rabobank during this year's Tour de France while holding the yellow jersey after giving his team false information.

The 33-year-old was on his way to his home at Gardasee.

On Thursday, the Tour leaves Austria after two days and crosses back into Germany to finish the 192.2km into Regensburg.

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Stage Results
1. Gerald Ciolek (G), T-Mobile 3:57:40 (44.18kph),
2. Danilo Napolitano (I), Lampre-Fondital, at 0:00
3. Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Sp), Caisse d'Epargne, at 0:00
4. Paolo Bettini (I), Quick Step, at 0:00
5. Koldo Fernandez (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, at 0:00
6. Aurélien Clerc (Swi), Bouygues Telecom, at 0:00
7. Mark Renshaw (Aus), Credit Agricole, at 0:00
8. Martin Elmiger (Swi), Ag2r, at 0:00
9. Erik Zabel (G), Milram, at 0:00
10. Aitor Galdos Alonso (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, at 0:00North Americans
17. George Hincapie (USA), Discovery Channel, at 0:00
46. Levi Leipheimer (USA), Discovery Channel, at 0:00
55. Bobby Julich (USA), CSC, at 0:00
58. Tom Danielson (USA), Discovery Channel, at 0:00
89. Jason McCartney (USA), Discovery Channel, at 0:00

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Overall
1. Jens Voigt (G), CSC 22:52:24
2. David Lopez Garcia (Sp), Caisse d'Epargne, at 0:33
3. Robert Gesink (Nl), Rabobank, at 1:14
4. Chris Anker Sørensen (Dk), CSC, at 1:24
5. Levi Leipheimer (USA), Discovery Channel, at 1:31
6. Leonardo Bertagnolli (I), Liquigas, at 2:19
7. Laurens Ten Dam (Nl), Unibet, at 2:34
8. Damiano Cunego (I), Lampre-Fondital, at 2:48
9. Davide Rebellin (I), Gerolsteiner, at 3:27
10. Maxime Monfort (B), Cofidis, at 3:45Other North Americans
25. Tom Danielson (USA), Discovery Channel, at 5:49
33. George Hincapie (USA), Discovery Channel, at 6:47
34. Bobby Julich (USA), CSC, at 7:05
57. Jason McCartney (USA), Discovery Channel, at 12:23FullResults