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Thüringen Rundfahrt, 2010

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The final stage of the 2010 Thüringen Rundfahrt der Frauen, saw Iris Slappendel (Cervelo Test Team) ride solo for the last 20km to win. In the sprint for second and third, Trixi Worrack (Norris) and Andrea Bosman (Netherlands) just finished ahead of the chase group. Worrack got the better of Bosman.

The first attack of the day, went from 5km out. The lone rider was Emma Silversides (Red Sun Cycling). She held off the bunch for 44km, gaining a maximum advantage of 1 minute. 

All together, the peloton hit the bottom of the Dortendorf climb (Hanka Berg) first time, with speed and the breaks started to form. Irene van den Broek (Netherlands) attacked, Noemi Cantele (HTC Columbia) reacted followed by Edita Puchinskaite (Gauss). The yellow jersey was in the next group and had to chase hard over the top to catch the three lead riders. A small break of thirteen riders formed and they quickly gained a gap on the rest of the peloton. 

In the group were, van den Broek, Cantele and team mate Luise Keller (HTC Columbia), Olga Zabelinskaja (Safi Pasta Zara), Puchinskaite, Slappendel and team mate Regina Bruins (Cervelo Test Team), Hanka Kupfernagel and Lisa Brennauer (German National Team), Laura Fouquet (Team Haibike), Bosman, Worrack and Petra Dijkman (Red Sun).

On the descent into Zeulenroda, a lead group of eight riders formed. Dropped from the thirteen were, Bruins, van den Broek, Cantele, Zabelinskaja and Puchinskaite. 

After 80km of racing, the leaders had a 1 minute 40 second lead ahead of the rest of the peloton. The second time up the "Hanka Berg", Worrack attacked. Keller covered the move as did Kupfernagel. 

After 111km of racing the main peloton was 40 seconds behind. The counter attacks started, first to try was Adrie Visser (HTC Columbia) who tried to get away before the final climb, but she was quickly chased. As soon as they had caught Visser, Slappendel attacked. She powered away and managed to get a 20 second gap really quickly. The chase took some time to form, but six riders did get away. 

After 118km of racing, Slappendel had a 55 second gap on the chasers and 1  minute 35 seconds to the bunch.

The chase to Slappendel was disorganised and no one wanted to give a concerted chase. At 3km to go the gap to the chase was 1 minute 30 seconds and 2 minutes 35 seconds to the main peloton. 

Slappendel was solo across the line and had plenty of time to celebrate. 

Zabelinskaja had done enough to win the overall, winning with 2 minutes 56 seconds to spare ahead of Edita Puchinskaite (Gauss ) and Noemi Cantele (HTC Columbia).

The young rider competition went to Lisa Brennauer (German National Team), Most Active and Points to Hanka Kupfernagel (German National team). Mountain to Irene van den Broek.

The Amy Gillet award was given to Olena Sharga (Ukraine National Team). Sharga had crashed badly on day one and against the doctors advise kept going for the whole tour..

Olga Zabelinskaja (Safi-Pasta Zara) has returned to racing after a three year absence and is relishing the opportunity to race again, "This win was very important to me. It is my first victory after such a long time away, almost three years. This is my first season back and everything feels like the first time. I felt confdent that I could win after the time trial. It feels really good, " said Zabelinskaja.  

Iris Slappendel (Cervelo  Test Team) rode strongly to win the final stage of the Thuringen Rundfahrt, “That seemed a really long race, there were so many girls in the front group that I thought I have to try something. I got half a minute then 40 seconds. I thought to myself, ‘I can’t lose this’. I have never won like that. I am so happy,” said Slappendel.

Trixi Worrack (Noris Cycling) has had a tough week and second on the final stage was a little bit of consolation. “I am empty, I gave it everything this week. I am disappointed that one rider got away. No one wanted to chase. She was strong but no one chased. To get second is good for the team,” said Worrack

Andrea Bosman (Netherlands) was happy with third, “I tried so hard today. In the chase group no one wanted to chase. I thought the Germans should be they had other ideas," said Bosman.

Irene van den Broek (Netherlands) held onto the Mountain leaders jersey after the final stage, "I really wanted to make sure I held onto this today. I hoped to be there at the finish but I just could not stay with the break, " said van den Broek. 

Hanka Kupfernagel (German National Team) secured the Points and the most Active jersey, "Today was so hard. I felt a lot of pressure. When your name is written all over the road and people are willing you to win, you have to try so hard not to let them down," said Kupfernagel.  

Noemi Cantele (HTC Columbia) finished third overall and was relatively happy with this result, "Today was just about protecting my position .[Third overall].  I tried to get away from the chase group after the break went but no one was going to let that happen," said Cantele.

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