Fabian Wegmann of team Gerolsteiner successfully defended his German national road race title coming in just two seconds ahead of team Milram’s veteran Erik Zabel.
Evergreen Zabel has been the German national champion twice in his career, 1998 and 2003, and now Wegmann too can make that claim.
Zabel, winner of a record six Tour de France Green Jersey’s, looks to be on good form coming into this years Tour. Beating the young speedster Gerald Ciolek will help him make a case for leadout help in his quest for a seventh title.
The German is known for his work ethic, and will surely be ready to battle for green in what may be his last season as a pro. Milram’s tour roster will be missing star sprinter Alessandro Pettachi, as well as a major contender for the overall, so Zabel will have the best opportunity for green he’s had in years.