Team Katusha’s Tiago Machado performed very well in the Bayern Rundfahrt (Germany) finishing second just one second behind Team Movistar’s Alex Dowsett in the 26,1 kilometer time trial in Hassfurt. Czech rider Jan Barta (Bora-Argon 18) finished 3rd, at 16 seconds.

With one stage to go Machado is now second in the general classification at two seconds from the British rider.

"I can only be happy. When you just miss one second to the World Hour Record holder, you may not complain. One second is nothing. Afterwards it is easy to try to find out what you could have done better, but we need to admit that Dowsett just went one second faster than me. That’s what counts. I am really satisfied.  The course suited me very well. It was hard, you needed to use all your power, but that’s what I did. We’ll see what we can do in our last stage tomorrow. In theory it is an easy stage but it will not be easy for us. You never know what can happen," explained Tiago Machado.

"Tiago did a perfect time trial. Despite the strong cross- and headwinds he never had any weak moment. We can only be happy. For tomorrow it will be hard to beat Dowsett for the overall. In theory he is faster in the intermediate sprints, but we will be attentive all day long. We don’t give up the win in this Bayern Rundfahrt," said Team Director José Azevedo.

In the general classification Alex Dowsett leads by two seconds over Tiago Machado. Jan Barta is third, 18 seconds behind.

The 5th and last relatively easy stage brings the riders from Hassfurt to Nürnberg (198 km).