This stage will decide the GC but if it's anything like the first TT then it won't be much of a contest. It is really, a two-horse-race between Andreas Klöden and the current leader Markus Fothen. Cadel Evans could suprise, but he didn't look good in the last stage. The favourite for the stage, as given by the bookies, is Thomas Dekker, in my opinion it is David Millar, but who cares who the favourite is, they never win anyway.
Predicatably, Michael Ford took the best time of the day, early on, with a 51'59". A good time but it won't last for long.
And it didn't last long because just a coupe of riders later Michael Barth took the lead with a 51'58", only 1 second faster and again, I doubt it will last long.
Bodrgoi came close but finished with a 52'07" in 3rd place at that time.
The time remained until Bert Grabsch absolutley owned it. He overtook 2 riders on the course, bearing in mind that they are released at 2 minute intervals, that's awesome. He posted a 51'18", a hell of a lot faster than Barth's time.
Unfortunatley for Grabsch, Millar was also a man on a mission. He also overtook 2 riders and he posted a...50'58"!! Millar is the new leader and sets a superbly quick time. His team mate, Sosenka, managed to grab 2nd with a 51'14".
But then the main event started:
Klöden and Fothen were on the course and at the first time-check Klöden posted the best time of the day so far!! A 25'10", could Fothen respond?
Yes! He posted a 25'08"!!! An insanely quick time. Evans was also on the track but it was clear he was not up to the task, he was poor and nearly got overtaken by Klöden, at the first check he was down in 18th with a 26'03".
Thomas Dekker went 4th at the second check with a 42'40", 16 seconds off Millar, the current best time holder. Evans went through in 16th, 1'16" down on Millar, at this rate he'll lose his podium place alltogether.
Through the second check-point Klöden posted a 42'34" just 10 seconds off Millar, and he went 2nd. Fothen went through with a 42'09"!!!! That's 15 seconds quicker than Millar! Surely it can't be a repeat of the first ITT?!
Evans finished in 17th but will move down to 19th when Klöden and Fothen come through. He's lost his podium place.
Klöden finished with a 51'16", he goes 3rd. Has Fothen kept up his pace? He ends with a 50'57!!!!!!!! He's won! He's won the stage ahead of Millar by 1 second!
So going into the final stage, barring any mis-haps Fothen will win the Deutschland Tour! Klöden and Dekker will round off the podium. Fothen currently holds the GC lead, Young Riders Classification lead and points lead. Although the points jersey can be taken back by Ciolek on the last stage.
