Small wins stage 2 of Thüringen Rundfahrt

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Carmen Small (Specialized-lululemon) prevailed in the field sprint finale deciding stage 2 of the Internationale Thüringen Rundfahrt der Frauen. Marta Tagliaferro (MCipollini Giordana) finished in second behind the American while overall leader Emma Johansson (Orica-AIS) rounded out the top three for the 122km stage.

With time bonuses factored in, Johansson extended her advantage slightly on general classification. Annemiek Van Vleuten (Rabobank-Liv/Giant) remains in second overall, but lost four seconds to Johansson and now trails by 10 seconds. Elizabeth Armitstead (Boels Dolmans), too, retained her general classification position of third overall, but after starting the day nine seconds back now faces a 16-second deficit to Johansson.

While the peloton started the stage at a relatively easy tempo, after five kilometres the pace rapidly increased in advance of the first intermediate sprint situated just 11km into the stage. Van Vleuten, second on general classification starting the day, won the sprint to the line and claimed the three-second time bonus. Race leader Emma Johansson placed second, earning a two-second time bonus, and as a result Van Vleuten gained a second overall.

After the day's first categorised climb Chloe McConville (Australia) and Anna Bianca Schnitzmeier (Wiggle Honda) went out on the attack and built up a lead of 3:35 on the peloton. The duo remained off the front for more than 40km, but were eventually swept up soon after beginning the finishing circuit inside of 10 kilometres to the finish line. The escapees were not caught prior to the second intermediate sprint, however, and with Johansson taking third place and the one-second time bonus she now negated the three-second bonus taken by Van Vleuten earlier in the stage.

Six kilometers from the finish a crash split the peloton, with 16 riders comprising the front group. The field came back together prior to the finish, however, with Small taking the sprint victory in Hermsdorf. Johansson's third place finish gave her a an additional four-second bonus which provided an additional bit of breathing room on general classification.

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