German Jens Voigt (CSC) consolidated his lead in the Tour of Germany by winning Monday's sixth stage by just two seconds over defending champion Levi Leipheimer (Gerolsteiner).

Kazakh Andrej Kashechkin (Astana) crossed third after the 196.6km run from Seefeld to St Christoph in the Austrian Alps.

Voigt, winner of the third stage and the overall leader since Sunday, holds a 24-second advantage on Leipheimer ahead of Tuesday's penultimate stage, a time trial in Bad Sackingen. Evgeni Petrov (Lampre) sits third at 56 seconds back.

The 34-year-old Voigt, who has worn the leader's jersey of the Tour de France twice, was delighted to stretch his lead but wary of the threat posed by Leipheimer.

"I have about 20 seconds over Levi, which is not much, but it could be enough — you never know," Voigt said.

For Leipheimer’s part, he acknowledged Voigt was now in the driver’s seat, adding that he had never seen the German ride so well.

"Jens showed he was strong today and I have to take my hat off to him," Leipheimer declared. "I have never seen him ride so well and he is very good in the time trial too.

"To be honest I would be happy to take a place on the podium at the moment. Jens is my favorite to win it."

The nine-day tour concludes Wednesday in Karlsruhe.

Stage 5
1. Jens Voigt (G), CSC, 5:11:48
2. Levi Leipheimer (USA), Gerolsteiner, at 0:02
3. Andrey Kashechkin (Kaz), Astana, at 0:08
4. Evgeni Petrov (Rus), Lampre, at 0:10
5. Stefan Schumacher (G), Gerolsteiner, at 0:36
6. Johann Tschopp (Swi), Phonak, at 0:41
7. Eddy Mazzoleni (I), T-Mobile, same time
8. Pablo Lastras Garcia (Sp), Caisse d'Epargne-I.B., s.t.
9. Anton Luengo Celaya (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, s.t.
10. Inigo Cuesta Lopez De Castro (Sp), CSC, s.t.

Overall
1. Jens Voigt (G), CSC, 27:39:29
2. Levi Leipheimer (USA), Gerolsteiner, at 0:24
3. Evgeni Petrov (Rus), Lampre, at 0:56
4. Vladimir Gusev (Rus), Discovery Channel, at 1:00
5. Andrey Kashechkin (Kaz), Astana, at 1:03
6. Inigo Cuesta Lopez De Castro (Sp), CSC, at 1:16
7. Marzio Bruseghin (I), Lampre, at 1:18
8. Eddy Mazzoleni (I), T-Mobile, at 1:34
9. Pablo Lastras Garcia (Sp), Caisse d'Epargne-I.B., at 2:02
10. Gerben Löwik (Nl), Rabobank, at 2:28

Complete results