Kleinmann takes Holland Hills Classic

German Larissa Kleinmann, 29 years old, of Equipe Nürnberger won the Holland Hills Classic on Sunday. On the famous Cauberg climb, she attacked out of a three-woman escape group to take the solo win by five seconds over Elisabeth Bram of Team Flexpoint and Vera Koedooder of Lotto-Belisol.

"This was a great race," said Nürnberger Directeur Sportif Jens Zemke. "Larissa Kleinmann showed a perfect race and deserved to win."

A six-rider strong group broke away only 25 kilometres into the race, which featured 15 climbs. Three of the riders were unable to hold the pace and forced out of the competition for the victory. The remaining three stayed together on the closing five-kilometre lap around Valkenburg. Kleinmann took off at the foot of the Cauberg and was able to take the solo win.

The women's race had the same finish as the men's Amstel Gold Race. (SW)

(Additional editorial assistance provided by Susan Westemeyer.)