Dutchman Bram Tankink took his first pro victory when he won the opening stage of the Tour of Germany. Tankink, 26, crashed 10 kilometres from the finish as heavy rain fell but got back on his bike to claim the win.
The Quick Step rider had broken away with Spaniard Juan Jose Cobo Acebo and Austrian Bernhard Eisel after 30km but sped away to finish a minute clear.
Cobo Acebo took second ahead of Eisel, a minute behind Tankink, with the main bunch three minutes adrift.
General classification
1. Bram Tankink (Netherlands / Quick-Step) four hours and 13 seconds
2. Juan Jose Cobo (Spain / Saunier Duval) at 50 secs
3. Bernhard Eisel (Austria / Francaise des Jeux) at 53 secs
4. Sebastien Hinault (France / Credit Agricole) at three minutes 19 seconds
5. Daniele Bennati (Italy / Lampre - Caffita) same time
6. Sebastian Siedler (Germany / Team Wiesenhof) same time
7. Luciano Pagliarini (Brazil / Liquigas) same time
8. David Etxebarria (Spain / Liberty Seguros) same time
9. Cyril Lemoine (France / Credit Agricole) same time
10. Rory Sutherland (Australia / Rabobank) same time
MMIX
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