Sauser wins second straight stage, increases overall lead

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Elite men: Back-to-back wins for Sauser

By bringing home his second consecutive stage victory at the 2012 Trans Germany, Christoph Sauser (Specialized) is one step closer to earning the general classification title for the third straight year. The Swiss rider, the reigning marathon world champion, finished 13 seconds ahead of Matthias Leisling (Black Tusk Racing) while Markus Kaufmann (Team Centuiron Vaude) rounded out the top three at 28 seconds.

Sauser know leads the elite men's general classification by 1:56 on South Africa's David George (Nedbank Team 360life), who finished in seventh place today but was able to cement his lead in the best climber classification having earned 45 out of a maximum of 100 points so far. Thomas Dietsch (Team Bulls), the fifth place finisher in stage 2, moved up to third position overall, 2:56 behind Sauser.

Sauser was pleased with the outcome of the 73.4km stage from Pfronten, Germany, to Lermoos, Austria as the 36-year-old Swiss had to close the gap to several breakaways and wasn't able to launch an attack himself against his general classification rivals in the leading group until the very last descent.

"The level of riding is outstanding this year, there is no resting at all," said Sauser. "Today it was a back and forth and also very tactical, but I was able to break away when I attacked on the final downhill."

On the descent into Lermoos Sauser took advantage of his technical abilities and his knowledge of the terrain: "It was right at the same spot where I attacked last year and I finally was able to gain some more seconds."

Increasing his general classification lead has made Sauser feel more secure about his prospects of winning overall for the third straight year. "That's very important. You can have a flat on the very last day and lose everything very quick," said Sauser.

Elite women: Brandau takes stage, Landtwing remains overall leader

Elisabeth Brandau, the 2010 women's Trans Germany winner, won stage 2 of the 2012 edition with a 1:42 advantage over runner-up and overnight race leader Milena Landtwing (Team Centuiron Vaude). Silke Schmidt (Notebooksbilliger.de) placed third at 7:51.

Landtwing continues to lead the women's general classification and holds a 8:10 lead Brandau with Schmidt in third overall at 10:10.

Brandau had a very difficult opening stage, but bounced back for the victory today.

"I didn't feel good at all," said Brandau of her result yesterday in stage 1. "I had some back problems and had to walk quite often. Today was way better, although I still noticed my back. However, I was able to outpace Milena [Landtwing] on the last climb after we had been head-to-head for the whole race."

Defending Trans Germany champion Pia Sundstedt of Craft – Rocky Mountain has had a miserable title defense in 2012. Sundstedt suffered from stomach ailments yesterday which didn't get better over night. As a result the Finnish racer was finally forced to withdraw from the race today.

Laner wins masters 40+ stage – Strobel extends overall lead

Andreas Laner (Team Scott) has secured his first Trans Germany stage win today with a narrow two-second victory over Andreas Strobel (Team Centurion Vaude). Strobel, the 40+ masters general classification leader, was in turn 2:25 ahead of today's third ranked rider Carsten Bresser (Craft-Rocky Mountain), who is still Strobel's closest rival overall.

After two stages Strobel leads Bresser by 2:26, while Heinz Zörweg (Team Factory Cube) holds third at 6:43.

Perkmann again best masters 50+ rider

In the category for the oldest participants, Walter Perkmann was again unbeatable. The Craft and Friends rider finished 4:46 ahead of Henrik Cohen (Team Geels) with Werner Hoepperger (Team Tiroler Zugspitz Arena) placing third at 8:03.

Perkmann extended his overall lead to 14:14 over Cohen and 18:00 ahead of Hoepperger.