Teutenberg takes another stage

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Columbia-HTC's Ina-Yoko Teutenberg helped secure her lead in the Route de France by taking her second stage victory of the race. Rochelle Gilmore (Lotto) and Diana Ziliute (Safi Pasta) were once again the runners up behind the speedy German.

"It was a tough final uphill sprint, even though most of the stage was pretty flat and easier than the first day," Teutenberg said. "On top of that, [Columbia-HTC teammate] Emilia [Fahlin] was in a break which only got caught with about five kilometres to go, so we didn't have to do any work to chase it. There were some important GC riders in it, and a lot of the other squads pulled the break back, and then I went for the win."

Teutenberg said she had sprinted for the victory after she chased down a move by rival Diana Ziliute in the final kilometre. "Ziliute got a gap, and I caught her and went past her for the victory. I don't think I gained any more time on my rivals for the overall, but in any case it was a good win."

The race's last two stages are the hilliest of the 2009 Route de France, and Teutenberg is cautious about her chances of keeping the lead. "Thursday will also be difficult because it's a very long stage, over 150 kilometres when usually we do about 110 or 120. So I'll just have to see what happens, see how I'm feeling and go from there."

Teutenberg holds a slim five second lead over time trial stage winner Tiffany Cromwell (Australia), while Ziliute is in third overall 10 seconds back.