Teutenberg wins opening stage in China

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Ina-Yoko Teutenberg (HTC-Columbia) claimed the opening stage of the Tour of Chongming Island in China on Wednesday. The German sprint star finished ahead of Kirsten Wild (Cervelo) and Korean National Team rider Choi Hye Kyeong to claim her eighth win of the season.

Teutenberg's victory also secured the first leader's jersey of the event and she will head into Thursday's second stage with a six second advantage over Wild overall - the time gap coming by virtue of intermediate sprint wins during the 72 kilometre stage.

"I'm very pleased to have won in a bunch sprint, because after a three week break racing from racing it's always hard to tell if you'll have the speed," said Teutenberg after her win. "It was a good day for the whole team, too - everybody had good legs, even [my teammate] Kim Anderson, who just landed in China from the US last night."

Teutenberg's victory sealed an active day by the entire HTC-Columbia team. The squad had been present in many of the day's escape attempts before the race was brought back together for the eventual bunch sprint.

"Judith [Arndt] was in a breakaway early on and then Ellen [Van Dijk] and Kim [Anderson] were in moves towards the end but it all came together for a bunch sprint," explained Teutenberg. "Chloe [Hosking] came up to the front with 500 metres to go and kept the pace really
high, and that was the perfect move for me to get into position."

Teutenberg will defend her overall lead on Thursday, in a 79.8 kilometre stage in Chongnix. Another flat course is expected to see a second successive bunch sprint.

"We'll try our best to defend the lead," said the race leader. "I'm looking forward to it."