Klöden: the first German in Tirreno

Yesterday, Andreas Klöden won the final classification of the Tirreno-Adriatico and by doing so became the first German to have his name in annals of the race after 42 years of existence. Klöden has the pedigree, having won Paris-Nice in 2000 and finishing third in the 2004 Tour de France.

Compliments came from all over the world, including from the team's sponsor. Sunday the President of Kazakhstan called to praise the work of Klöden and team star, Kazakh Alexander Vinokourov.

"This win is important because it is the first with my new team; they are more and more convinced that they made a good investment," said Klöden after the stage to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

He will return to racing in the Critérium International, starting March 31, facing the likes of Damiano Cunego and Alejandro Valverde, but his training is focused on the Tour de France.

"In this race [Tirreno] I marked a point in my favour," said the 31 year-old German, who raced with T-Mobile up until the end of last year. "Who will be the captain between me and Vinokourov [at the Tour]? It is impossible to say now."