Gerald Ciolek (capture-the-peloton.com)

GOTHA, Sep 19 (CP) - German Gerald Ciolek has given himself a perfect birthday present by winning the first stage in the 3-Länder-Tour.

The opening 184 kilometers stage to Gotha was decided by a mass sprint, in which Ciolek only just beat Milram's Marcel Sieberg.

Another German, Sebastian Siedler, came in third. The first non-homerider is found in fourth position, the Australian Luke Roberts of CSC.

Ciolek, who celebrates his 21st birthday today, is also the first leader in the overall classification.

© Jonathan Roorda