Tour of Switzerland: Tony Martin increases lead with time-trial win

Tour of Switzerland leader Tony Martin has won stage seven with a strong showing in the time trial in Worb.

The Omega Pharma Quick-Step rider beat Dutchman Tom Dumoulin by 22 seconds, with Portuguese Rui Costa 28 seconds behind in third.

With two stages remaining, the 29-year-old German now has a 28-second lead over Dumoulin.

Great Britain's Mark Cavendish endured a tough day as he finished over five minutes off the pace in 144th position.

Fellow Briton Sir Bradley Wiggins was forced to withdraw from the competition on Wednesday after injuring his thigh in a crash the previous day.

Saturday's penultimate stage will see the riders tackle a 219 km course from Delemont to Verbier, before Sunday's final stage concludes in the Alpine town of Saas-Fee.

Stage seven result:

1. Tony Martin (Germany / Omega Pharma - Quick-Step) 31:37"

2. Tom Dumoulin (Netherlands / Giant) +22"

3. Rui Costa (Portugal / Lampre) +28"

4. Fabian Cancellara (Switzerland / Trek) +41"

5. Mathias Frank (Switzerland / IAM Cycling) +45"

6. Lawson Craddock (U.S. / Giant) +59"

7. Stef Clement (Netherlands / Belkin) +1:02"

8. Jon Izagirre (Spain / Movistar) +1:06"

9. Thibaut Pinot (France / FDJ.fr) +1:13"

10. Mattia Cattaneo (Italy / Lampre)

General Classification

1. Tony Martin (Germany / Omega Pharma - Quick-Step) 23:42:43"

2. Tom Dumoulin (Netherlands / Giant) +28"

3. Rui Costa (Portugal / Lampre) +1:05"

4. Mathias Frank (Switzerland / IAM Cycling) +1:14"

5. Jon Izagirre (Spain / Movistar) +1:33"

6. Peter Sagan (Slovakia / Cannondale) +1:36"

7. Lawson Craddock (U.S. / Giant) +1:42"

8. Mattia Cattaneo (Italy / Lampre)

9. Davide Formolo (Italy / Cannondale) +1:47"

10. Thibaut Pinot (France / FDJ.fr) +1:48"