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Ciolek does it again in German tour; Voigt defends lead
T-Mobile’s Gerald Ciolek won his second consecutive stage on the Tour of Germany on Thursday after holding off a determined challenge from sprint specialist Erik Zabel (Milram).
The 20-year-old German was again the first home after covering the predominantly flat route from Kufstein, Austria, to Regensburg, Germany, in 4 hours, 8 minutes and 20 seconds.
In damp conditions with persistent drizzle, the under-23 road world champion had to hold his nerve and battle all the way to the line as Zabel, who had pushed Ciolek close on Wednesday, again threatened in the final meters.
CSC's Jens Voigt retains the yellow jersey and looks set to win his second consecutive title with a 33-second lead over second-placed Spaniard David Lopez Garcia.
Voigt was never in danger of losing his jersey on the Tour's seventh stage and has the chance to extend his lead in Friday's 33.1km time trial in Fuerth.
"I would like to believe my lead will be enough to win overall, but anything is still possible," Voigt said.
Friday’s race against the clock may well be Voigt’s final hurdle. The final stage on Saturday, over 143.1km from Einbeck to Hanover, looks likely to be another battle of the sprinters.
Tour of Germany
Stage 7
1. Gerald Ciolek (G) T-Mobile, 191.2km in 4:08:20
2. Erik Zabel (G), Milram, same time
3. Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Sp), Caisse d'Epargne, s.t.
4. Aurelien Clerc (Swi), Bouygues Telecom, s.t.
5. Danilo Napolitano (I), Lampre-Fondital, s.t.
6. Rene Weissinger (G), Volksbank, s.t.
7. Mark Renshaw (Aus), Crédit Agricole, s.t.
8. Olaf Pollack (G) Wiesenhof, s.t.
9. Sven Teutenberg (G), Volksbank, s.t.
10. Koldo Fernandez (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, s.t.
Overall
1. Jens Voigt (G), CSC, 27:00:44
2. David Lopez Garcia (Sp), Caisse d'Epargne, at 0:33
3. Robert Gesink (Ned), Rabobank, at 1:14
4. Chris Sorensen (Den), CSC, at 1:24
5. Levi Leipheimer (USA), Discovery Channel, at 1:31
6. Leonardo Bertagnolli (I), Liquigas, at 2:19
7. Laurens Tendam (Ned), Unibet, at 2:34
8. Damiano Cunego (I) Lampre, at 2:48
9. Davide Rebellin (I), Gerolsteiner, at 3:27
10. Maxime Monfort (B), Cofidis, at 3:45
