AFP/File – German Andreas Kloden of RadioShack, pictured in action in March 2011, won the Tour of the Basque country … MADRID (AFP) – German Andreas Kloden of RadioShack won the Tour of the Basque country on Saturday after HTC compatriot Tony Martin took the sixth and final stage - a 24km individual time-trial at Zalla.
Kloden, who previously won the event racing for Deutsche Telekom, placed second on the day as he landed the overall title for the second time after 2000.
The champion, who twice finished runner-up in the Tour de France (2004 and 2006), finished in a total 22hr 12min 11sec, 47sec ahead of US teammate Christopher Horner with Dutchman Robert Gesink of Rabobank completing the podium.
Kloden's time-trial showing was sufficient to gain him the overall accolade despite his failure to win any of the stages across the week.
"The time trial went very well," said Kloden.
"Johan Bruyneel and Jose Azevedo coached me so well in the following car. They had the split times of Tony Martin. I started very fast and the climb went very well for me. I could keep my good pace till the end. Perfect.
"It's unbelievable really that I've won here again after 11 years," added the German.
"But it shows what can happen. You need to be strong mentally and have a nice team. Without the team it's not possible."
Martin, taking his fifth season stage win, bagged the final day's honours in 32min 16sec with Kloden 9sec behind and Italian HTC rider Marco Pinotti third at 24sec.
Spaniard Joaquin Rodriguez, who had led overnight, had a nightmare in the time-trial to see his hopes evaporate - having suffered a similar experience in last year's Tour of Spain.
Rodriguez finally came in 33rd, fully 2min 08sec off the pace as he missed out even on a top ten finish, coming 11th at 1min 59sec.
"The goal of the week here was to win today, and that's what I've achieved," Martin said after his final flourish.
"I had a bit of a break after Paris-Nice and when I started this race I knew that I wasn't going to be at 100 percent straight away."
"But I've ended the race in great condition, and this win is the confirmation."
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