Rogers gets first win in two years in stage 2

Michael Rogers of Team Sky took his first win in two years in the second stage of the Bayern Rundfahrt to take over the race lead. The Australian won the sprint of a five-rider group, ahead of Vladimir Gusev (Katusha) and Jerome Coppel of Saur-Sojasun.

"It was quite close there at the end but I'm certainly really happy to take the win," Rogers said on TeamSky.com. "It's been a good couple of years since Tour of California when I last took one.

"No matter where it is it's always a nice feeling and especially in the fashion the team rode today it's great to finish it off."

"I'm sure there will be a few surprises tomorrow but I'm quietly confident that with the team we have here can handle anything that the race will throw at us. Then I'm sure the general classification will come down to the time trial."

The five-man escape group got away with about 46 km to go on the stage, and built up a lead of over a minute, and managed to hold on to a minimal lead at the end. Earlier, Thomas Voeckler (Europcar), Karsten Kroon (Saxo Bank) and Christian Mager of Team Heizomat had been in a long early break with up to a five minute gap.

Sky had two riders in the  final group, Rogers and Kanstantsin Siutsou, which helped the Australian out-fox his breakaway companions in the end.

"We went into the stage with the plan to heat it up a bit on the climbs," Rogers said. "They weren't super hard but they were solid climbs and we took responsibility. We were able to create an opportunity on the second climb where Kosta went away and a couple of guys followed him. I followed those guys and before we knew it was had 30 seconds.

"We went full all the way to the finish. Kosta rode really strong all the way which allowed me to conserve energy for the sprint."

"Today was really the only opportunity to make a difference ahead of the time trial and the boys did a good job. We had two up there in the break and Mick took the time bonuses which is perfect,” director Sean Yates. “He’s in a great position but it’s not over and the time trial is quite long.

"We’ll defend the jersey going into the time trial and may the best man win!”

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