Genze and Kugler lead Team Multivan Merida 1-2 finish

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On the last day of racing in the Sierra Morena region, punctures and bad luck were the predominant theme for many of the racers in the Andalucia Bike Race. Team Multivan Merida's two teams claimed first and second on stage 2 with Hannes Genze and Andreas Kugler (Team Multivan Merida 2) topping their teammates and race leaders Jose Antonio Hermida and Rudi Van Houts (Team Multivan Merida 1) by 1:43.

Van Houts suffered two flats and the Dutchman crossed the finish line with a damaged wheel. Kugler said "it was a very hard stage" that left them "kaput".

Hermida and Van Houts remain in the overall lead with a 2:28 advantage over Luis Alberto Da Costa Leao Pinto and Tiago Jorge Ferreria Oliveira (Bicis Esteve 1), who finished third on the day. Genze and Kugler hold third place on general classification for the elite men's field, 5:30 back.

"Things like those give you an idea about the event´s difficulty," said Hermida. "Stones are there for everybody. Today was a day to consolidate our lead and take some distance, but you have to take luck into account."

Sally Bigham and Milena Landtwing (Topeak-Ergon/ Centurion V) are dominating the women's race as the pair claimed their third straight victory. They lead second-placed Åsa Erlandsson and Kajsa Snihs (Team Snabeltutarna) by 14:16 while Nathalie Scheitter & Sabrina Mauerer (Team Colnago - BSK Graf) hold third on general classification, 35:22 back.

Having completed racing in the Sierra Morena region the Andalucia Bike Race moves to Priego de Córdoba for stage three, then to Jaén for the final two stages.