Hochenwarter takes second stage

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Austria’s Uwe Hochenwarter (Muskelkater Genesis Team) won his second stage of the Alpentour Trophy on Friday, and in doing so extended his lead in the overall after two stages. Hochenwarter finished ahead of teammate Matthias Leisling and Bjorn Brems (Team G-Skin Deforche), who now sits second overall, 20 seconds down on Hochenwarter.

After stage one’s tepid temperatures, stage two kicked off under similar skies with cool temperatures and difficult track conditions. The riders were faced with a 62 kilometre test and 2,300 metres of elevation, including a technically challenging, bumpy passage through the Obere Klausen and the 1,000-metre ascent onto the Planai.

Right from the start Matthias Leisling and the overall leader Uwe Hochenwarter set the pace, however, after initial difficulties, Brems succeeded in catching up with the Muskelkater Genesis-duo. Still riding together at the mountain stage at Reiteralm, the rider in the Milka-jersey benefited from his excellent technical skills at the dreaded Planai downhill section and was able to take the crucial lead.

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“Our strategy to ride up front from the beginning was ideal. Today I have to sincerely thank Matthias, who worked really hard and pulled me along again and again”, said Uwe Hochenwarter.

Overall, Leisling was able to make up two seconds, however, is still 2:47 minutes behind Brems, who showed fair sportsmanship, congratulating his two competitors for their successful team effort.

Behind the leading trio, an eight-man group had been fighting to catch up. Towards the end of the stage, Benjamin Sonntag (Cannondale Factory Racing) was able to ride ahead from that group.

Ukrainian Natalia Krompets continues to lead the women’s race. She again crossed the finish line alone as fastest female elite rider and has an overall lead of more than 12 minutes ahead of fellow Ukranian rider Yana Belomoyna.

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