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25th International Thuringen Rundfahrt der Frauen

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Stage 2 - Teutenberg does the double

Schleiz, 103.7km (Revised 112km)

Race Writeup

Ina-Yoko Teutenberg (Specialized-lululemon) won her second consecutive stage at Thuringen Rundfahrt. Teutenberg won the sprint from a group of 24 riders who came to the line together after 112km stage in Schleiz. Emma Johansson (Hitec) was second ahead of Judith Arndt (Orica-AIS)

Conditions were sunny, warm 22 degrees Celsius and windy at the start of stage 2, Rund um Schliez. A late route change added an extra 10.5km on the stage.  

At the start of the race, overnight leader Emma Johansson (Hitec-Mistral) held a 3 second lead ahead of local Hanka Kupfernagel (RusVelo) and 4 seconds ahead of Judith Arndt (Orica AIS).  

The stage had three climbs and two sprints all with extra bonus seconds available. 105 riders started stage 2.  

Early on,Hitec – Mistral took control of the race early on but with only 4 riders they could not control it for the entire race. At the first climb at Harra,  Valentina Carretta (Mcipollini Giambenini) led ahead of Claudia Häusler (Orica AIS) and Petra Dijkman (Kleo Ladies).

After  1.5 hours of racing the first sprint was won by Lizzy Armitstead (AA Drink)ahead of Johansson and Kupfernagel. They created a small gap on the bunch but it was soon back together.

As the parcours went up, the field started to pull apart.  After 50km of racing, Liesbet De Vocht (Rabo Women) attacked  and quickly gained a 40 seconds lead.

The Belgian had extended her lead to 1 minute 25 seconds, with the race at the new half way point. De Vocht was first over the second climb but the bunch were closing in fast. RusVelo led the chase to try to keep Kupfernagel up in the Mountain competition, however it was Häusler (Orica AIS) and Sylwia Kapusta (Hitec-Mistral) who crossed second and third over the climb. 
After 2 hours of racing, De Vocht’s advantage was 1 minute 5 seconds.  Malin Rydlund (Alrikkson Go Green) attempted to chase the lone leader and managed to gain a small 10 second gap on the main peloton. 

With 20km left to ride, De Vocht’s margin was falling. At 30 seconds, was soon reduced to 10 before the final climb. After 92km of racing, the escape was over.  Hausler led the climb ahead of Marsha Pijnenborg (Dolmans) and Sharon Laws (AA Drink).

The teams of AA Drink and Specialized Lululemon took control of the front of the bunch with 10km to go.

There were a number of attacks from the peloton and the high speed caused the peloton to split. A leading group of 15 riders formed with a smaller chase group just behind. In the second group, Arndt had to jump to close the gap. .
A leading group of 23 riders formed with 8 km to go and they quickly created a 42 second lead. The group included a number of the top contenders for GC. Johansson, Teutenberg, Arndt, Armitstead, Adrie Visser (Skil Argos) Martine Bras (Dolmans) Clare Hughes, Emilia Fahlin, Amber Neben and Trixi Worrack (Specialized Lululemon).

With 3km to go the pace was extremely high. Specialized Lululemon took control and increased the speed. In the closing stages, Teutenberg's teammate, Emilia Fahlin initiated a break which also had Trixi Worrack and Amber Neben in it from Specialized-lululemon. However the break was caught close to the finish. The tight final right hand turn caused a few issues but in the end, Teutenberg was able to jump clear to win her second stage. 

Emma Johansson (Hitec-Mistrel)l leads the race going into stage three with a 5 second lead ahead of Arndt and 7 seconds ahead of Teutenberg.

Comments

Ina-Yoko Teutenberg (Specialized-lululemon) was happy with her second sprint win. "We had the perfect situation," said Teutenberg. "Three of us up the road forcing Green Edge to chase. Clara and I were able to sit on the chase and wait for the finish. Our group caught the break shortly before the finish and the girls put me in position for the sprint.

"It wasn't all that fast today at the beginning but it was hard again because of the wind and the persistent hills. The sprint was a little scary too but it worked out well. Adrie [Visser] went flying into the corner and I had to back off but I managed a good line around the corner and got a gap."

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