KUFSTEIN (Austria), Aug 15: T-mobile sprinter Gerald Ciolek won the sixth stage of the Tour of Germany after a sprint finish through the foothills of the Austrian alps into Kufstein here on Wednesday.

The 20-year-old German was the first home after covering the predominantly flat route from 175km from Laegenfeld in three hours, 57mins and 40 seconds as CSC's Jens Voigt retains the yellow jersey.

Ciolek had to work hard to hold off a challenge from the chasing pack including strong finishers such as Italians Danilo Napolitano, Paolo Bettini and German Erik Zabel which pushed him hard to the line.

“I waited until the last moment and I really attacked when I was in a good position, it was a bit too narrow on the right, but it wasn't a problem and I am very pleased with my tactics,” Ciolek told German television station ARD.

On Thursday, the Tour leaves Austria after two days and crosses back into Germany to finish the 192.2km into Regensburg.—AFP