Team Garmin-Cervelo's David Zabriskie (United States) won the 2011 Tour of Romandy individual time trial earlier today, and Team BMC Racing's former World Champion Cadel Evans took the overall lead with just one stage left.

Zabriskie won his first stage of the season, clocking 0 hours, 27 minutes and 57 seconds over the 12.5-mile course from Aubonne to Signale-de-Bougy.

Zabriskie said the undulating course suited his strengths.

"I gave it everything and it turned out well," American powerhouse Zabriskie told reporters in the watch zone. Zabriskie rode his time trial before a headwind made conditions tougher for the overall race leaders. Zabriskie added "That's how it goes sometimes, it's a game of luck."

Zabriskie was two seconds faster than Team Saxo Bank-SunGard's Australian Richie Porte. He's 14 seconds ahead of Lieuwe Westra, who was third.

Team BMC Racing's Evans was eighth, 45 seconds behind Zabriskie, and rose from fourth overall to take the yellow leader's jersey in the race. Evans has an 18-second edge on Team HTC-HighRoad's Tony Martin of Germany. Alexandre Vinokourov of Kazakhstan (Team Astana) was third.

"I'm very satisfied. Two weeks ago, I didn't do the classics races because of that training ride crash, so coming back here I didn't know where I was. But I worked hard with some good people around me and came back at a good level," Evans told Roadcycling.com and our mobile sister site Roadcycling.mobi after completing the time trial.

"This is a race that has always suited me," former world champion Evans added and continued "I used to live here in Romandie, so I feel a bit at home. For BMC being a Swiss company, it's a very important race."

Evans' teammate Taylor Phinney crashed in today's time trial after just 700 meters when he hit a wall.

"I think I got just a little too excited," Phinney said and added "I did some damage to my cleat and shoes and hip and back, but my knees, elbows and shoulder are fine. For a crash, it probably looks terrible, but I didn't get too hurt."

Phinney certainly hasn't been struck with luck this season so far.

Overnight leader Pavel Brutt of Russia and Team Katusha did not manage to defend his overall lead and dropped out of contention. He's now even off the podium.

The six-day race ends tomorrow with a 102-mile stage from Champagne to Geneva, Switzerland.