Genze wins stage two and takes over lead

Stage 2 from Frammersbach/Spessart to Bischofsheim a. d. Rhoen brought the first change of leadership. Thanks to an excellent downhill ride from the Kreuzberg to the finish, Hannes Genze (Multivan Merida Biking Team) not only celebrated his first stage win after 2:57:57 but also took over the yellow jersey presented to the leader of the overall. Genze replaced Alban Lakata as the race leader.

For the stage, Andreas Kugler finished second in 2:58:54, thus making the day a double success for the Multivan Merida Biking Team. Thomas Nicke (Fiat Rotwild) rounded out the podium in third at 2:58:55.

Genze sits in the overall lead with 23 seconds over Kugler and 25 seconds over Thomas Dietsch.

The day's pace was not as fast as the previous day. To get his win, Genze employed his knowledge of the second stage's end with its 82.3km and 2,050m of climbing. "I climbed the peak of Kreuzberg in fourth knowing that the following downhill would be hard and slushy. This is my thing. I took a risk on the descent and thereafter was able to extend my lead in the open last kilometres to the finish."

On those last metres, the 27-year-old didn't spare a thought about the race lead. "I wanted to win and only thought of crossing the finish line first. The leadership is a nice plus. Now I need a little bit of luck over the next days."

Lakata out of luck

Topeak - Ergon's Lakata finished 12th for the day at 1:30. He struggled with the course and his gear.

"It's disappointing to lose because of a flat tyre as my legs were strong enough to fight back. After Hannes (Genze) had brutally attacked on the downhill, I noticed that I was riding on my rim. That made it very exhausting for the last kilometres - despite the help of my teammate Robert Mennen." Nonetheless, the Austrian is still motivated. "I will attack again!" he promised.

Grasegger celebrates second win in the master category

Scott-Racing Team's Johann Grasegger won the second stage in the master category. The Bavarian crossed the finish line in Bischofsheim a. d. Rhoen after 3:08:45. Branko Grah followed in second (3:12:02) and was able to jump on the second place in the ranking, too. Hans Planckaert from Casa Verde Race Factory came in third (3:22:43).

Close women's race

The bearer of the Red Leader Jersey Esther Suess also put the second stage under Swiss supremacy. The Wheeler Pro Team racer secured her second consecutive win in a time of 3:22.59. Nina Gaessler from Kona Norway rolled in only 11 seconds later (3:23:09). Another 28 seconds behind, British Topeak-Ergon Racing Team member Sally Bigham made it to Bischofsheim a. d. Rhoen (3:23:37).

"I couldn't find a group with good speed. But I'm feeling very good," said Suess. "And this was important as I noticed at the end of the race that Nina (Gaessler) was right at my back. Thus I pushed the pedal to the metal once more. I hope that it will go on like this."

Spolc in front again

As in the women's and master's race, the leader of the super masters took home a second stage win. Milan Spolc from Team Sachsen Land von Welt mastered the 82 kilometres and more than 2,000 metres of elevation gain in 3:22:44. Rudi Geentjens came in second in the Over-50-classification (3:26:08) ahead of Werner Otto from Paul Lange & Co. / Shimano who finished third (3:27:53) just like the previous day.

Stage 3: Bischofsheim to Oberhof

Stage three will be a day of ascents. A total of four peaks have to be conquered on the 95.95 kilometres from Bischofsheim a. d. Rhoen to Oberhof. In addition, a total of 2,674 metres of altitude have to be mastered on the way to Thuringia.

To go in detail: the climbs to Heidelstein, Hohe Geba, Dolmar and the ascent to the sole summit finish in Oberhof will challenge participants. However, the "only" peak counting for the king of mountain classification (green jersey) is the Dolmar. The time for every participant will be taken from Uttendorf on and stopped after 4.4 kilometres and 355 metres of elevation gain.