Emanuel Buchmann of the German pro team BORA - Argon 18 has surprisingly won the German championships in road cycling. After 205 kilometers, the 22-year-old sat won with an attack in the finale. For Buchmann, who is riding his first season in the pro ranks, today's success is also his first professional win. Only on Tuesday Buchmann was appointed to the line-up of his team for the Tour de France. Thus, the new German champion jersey will premiere right at the biggest cycling race in the world starting next weekend.

"My Tour nomination was the icing on the cake, but now going there even in the champion jersey that's simply incredible," he said. "I was also really strong today, so that’s not an undeserved victory. I knew that it would have been difficult in a sprint and therefore Björn Thurau and I attacked alternately . I was lucky that they let me go.

"In the morning’s team meeting we decided to make the race very hard in any case. We wanted to do so from the fifth lap on. From there we went up the climb always on the limit and thus we reduced the field pretty much. At the start of the final lap , only about 20 men were left in front. Then we increased the speed again on the climb to force another selection. Next to me, Schilli [Andreas Schillinger] and Björn were still in the group and so we could launch many attacks. I've was away three times but was always caught again. Then we noticed that all guys in the group were on their limit. And five kilometers from the finish I attacked again. I was able to open a gap and just gave all I had. That was just enough to cross the finish line first.

"I must honestly say that I haven’t had great hopes. From the last climb it was still 15 kilometers flat to the line. And in the sprint I'm pretty much the worst rider in the field. So the championship came very surprising.

"Yesterday I drove back home the same evening. Here everyone was over the moon and just super happy. Actually, the all couldn’t even believe it yet. Tonight, my local cycling club will hold a small reception for me.

"I know that this is a big thing and that I can now ride a whole year in the champion jersey and also in the Tour de France. But I haven’t realized it for 100%. I can’t even estimate what it means to start at the Tour being the champion. It is an honor and a pleasure to wear the jersey. I think now some people know my name and with the jersey you can’t hide in the field.

"On Wednesday we’ll travel to Utrecht. Until then, there's not much training. Today and tomorrow I ride just a few more relaxed sessions and will present the champion's jersey around Ravensburg."

"It’s a crazy day for us! It took us six German championships to win this jersey. In the last group of 16 riders, we were still represented with five guys. This shows how compact we rode as a team. Our tactic was to avoid a sprint and therefore, individual attacks were planned in the finale. And the first one of Emanuel was already the decisive one. Emanuel isn’t a winner by coincidence, but with him one of the strongest riders in the peloton won the race. Hats off to the performance of such a young guy", comments a pleased BORA – ARGON 18 Team Manager Ralph Denk on the victory.

"First the Tour nomination and now the champion jersey - these are overwhelming events within one week for a young rider. The jersey is not a burden for Emanuel, it will rather inspire him for the Tour de France. I hope he’ll line-up at the start in Utrecht with strong nerves", Denk concluded.