A rest after a winning spring campaign has refreshed Fabian Cancellara and set him up for a strong end of season, starting with today’s individual time trial win in the Tour of Austria.

“I felt really good today,” a relaxed Cancellara said after the stage. “It’s not my best shape of the season but quite good and I feel very happy about today’s win. The course was not very technical and there were only three small rest points along the route, then the rest was full gas. In general a course like this suites me because I have such a big engine and can keep going, but I like the technical courses too, for variety’s sake. There are always two races within a time trial: one is to put up your personal best and the other is to win the stage.”

Cancellara posted up the best time with 27:56 on the 24.1km course in Podersdorf am Neusiedler See, beating Marco Pinotti (BMC) by 22 seconds and Kristof Vandewalle (Omega Pharma-Quick Step)by 46 seconds. It was the fifth win this season for the 32-year old Swiss rider who enjoyed tremendous success in the spring classics, in particular winning Paris-Roubaix for the third time.

Not taking part in this year’s Tour de France opened the door for Cancellara to ride in the Tour of Austria as he continues to prepare for the world championships in September in Italy. Cancellara:  “My condition continues to improve and the team has been good all week here in the Tour of Austria. It’s a nice race and is well organized with good hotels near the start and finish. It’s all very relaxed after the first few days of climbing. I’m very happy I came here.”

The Tour of Austria has one stage remaining on Sunday and is currently led by Riccardo Zoidl (Gourmetfein Simplon) by 32 seconds over Alexandr Dyachenko (Astana).