Team HTC-Columbia rider Tony Martin powered to victory in the final time trial of the 2010 Tour de Suisse / Tour of Switzerland 2010 earlier today, saying afterwards he was surprised and pleased to have won the 26.9-kilometer race against the clock in Liestal. Martin finished 17 seconds ahead of Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara, with American David Zabriskie in third.

"I wasn't really expecting this," Martin said afterwards. "I've not been feeling so good in the last two or three days. It's been very cold and rainy here in Switzerland and I didn't think I had much of a chance today. But I was very motivated, I really wanted to put up a good fight for it, and I think the second half of the stage was where I gained most time on my rivals."

Already the winner of the Tour of California's time trial stage this year, Martin said that the Suisse course was very similar. "It was more or less the same, not too many corners and big roads. You didn't have to brake or accelerate too hard, and you could keep a steady pace. That suited me. I lost a little bit of time on the first half of the course, up to the summit of the climb, but saving some energy was the perfect tactic because then I could go full gas in the second half."

After leading the Tour de Suisse during the first half of the race and then taking the final stage, Martin says he is feeling optimistic about his chances in the German National Time Trial Championships next week. "I've heard it's an undulating course, a bit like today's time trial. I'll be focussing on that really hard from now on."

Frank Schleck on his way to the overall vicotry in the 2010 Tour of Switzerland. Photo copyright Fotoreporter Sirotti.

Olympic time trial champion Fabian Cancellara finished second in today's time trial, 17 seconds back, while American David Zabriskie clocked the third best time, 29 seconds behind.

Saxo Bank rider Jacob Fuglsang of Denmark finished third overall, 17 seconds back, while previous race leader Robert Gesink of the Netherlands dropped to fifth, 27 seconds adrift.

The 2010 Tour de Suisse was won by Frank Schleck (Team Saxo Bank). Schleck started the day fourth overall and secured the overall race win by finishing 13th in the time trial, five seconds behind Armstrong.

"I surprised myself because I'm not a time trial specialist," Schleck said. "But with [my brother] Andy we did a specific work to improve in time trials and it paid off."

Lance Armstrong, Frank Schleck and Jacob Fuglsang on the podium. Photo copyright Fotoreporter Sirotti.

Schleck, also expected to contend at the Tour de France 2010, dedicated his victory to fellow Luxembourg cyclist Kim Kirchen, who was still in an induced coma Sunday after a heart attack on Friday night.

"Me, Andy and my entire family we really hope that things will go better quickly," Schleck said. "My victory is for him."