Teutenberg takes the win in Altopascio

Ina Teutenberg (HTC Highroad Women) won stage 2 of the Giro della Toscana Femminile, a flat, 117km parcours from Porcari to Altopascio. The German sprinter outkicked world champion Giorgia Bronzini (Colavita Forno d'Asolo) and Alona Andruk (Diadora-Pasta Zara) for the victory in the field sprint finale.

"The girls did a great job controlling and setting me up for the finish," Teutenberg said. "I was out front for the last corner, and after I came out of it I took off with about 200 metres to go."

"There were no real threats from a break today" said HTC Highroad Women's sports director Ronny Lauke. "The girls were strong in controlling the group and Ina made her move at the right time."

With the stage winner's time bonus, Teutenberg takes over the general classification lead from her teammate Judith Arndt. The HTC Highroad Women's squad have a lock on the top six places overall with Teutenberg leading Chloe Hosking by 10 seconds and Charlotte Becker by 13 seconds.

Overnight leader Judith Arndt dropped to fourth at 21 seconds.

Following the opening day team time trial and flat second stage, the peloton faces a sterner test on Thursday for the 137.6km route from Pontedera to Volterra with the finish atop a category one-ranked climb which will be climbed twice in the final 24.3km.