Ullrich makes powerful statement

Ullrich is attempting to defend his Tour of Switzerland crown

German Jan Ullrich showed he is ready to challenge Lance Armstrong at next month's Tour de France by winning stage two of the Tour of Switzerland.

Looking slim and powerful, the T-Mobile team leader clocked 44 minutes and six seconds for the 36km time trial to take his first victory of the 2005 season.

Bradley McGee was 15 seconds adrift in second, with fellow Australian Michael Rogers third, 18 seconds off the lead.

Ullrich also claimed the overall lead from stage-one winner Bernhard Eisel.

"This isn't the Tour de France but I wanted to do well today and was motivated," said Ullrich.

"I think I set a good time even though I wasn't really thinking about winning. I started steady and then went all out in the second part."

Ullrich won the Tour of Switzerland last year but then disappointed at the Tour de France, finishing fourth behind Armstrong.

Monday's 160km third stage is from Abtwil to St Anton in Austria and includes a long climb that ends six kilometres before the finish.

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Second stage results:
1. Jan Ullrich (Germany / T-Mobile) 44:06"
2. Bradley McGee (Australia / Francaise des Jeux) +15"
3. Michael Rogers (Australia / Quick-Step) +18"
4. Fabian Cancellara (Switzerland / Fassa Bortolo) +39"
5. Sergei Gontchar (Ukraine / Domina Vacanze) +40"
6. Vladimir Gusev (Russia / Team CSC) +46"
7. Jens Voigt (Germany / Team CSC) +58"
8. Bobby Julich (United States / Team CSC) +1:02"
9. Dario Frigo (Italy / Fassa Bortolo) +1:08"
10. Patrik Sinkewitz (Germany / Quick-Step) +1:09"

Overall standings:
1. Jan Ullrich (Germany / T-Mobile) 4:44:19"
2. Bradley McGee (Australia / Francaise des Jeux) +12"
3. Michael Rogers (Australia / Quick-Step) +18"
4. Fabian Cancellara (Switzerland / Fassa Bortolo) +39"
5. Sergei Gontchar (Ukraine / Domina Vacanze) +40"
6. Vladimir Gusev (Russia / Team CSC) +46"
7. Jens Voigt (Germany / Team CSC) +58"
8. Bobby Julich (United States / Team CSC) +1:02"
9. Dario Frigo (Italy / Fassa Bortolo) +1:08"
10. Patrik Sinkewitz (Germany / Quick-Step) +1:09"