Kaess and Suess win lengthy stage

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Jochen Kaess made it two in a row with a win in the 120km stage of the Trans Germany on Wednesday. The reigning German Champion from the Multivan Merida Biking Team set an early attack, at 30km, and pedaled the remainder of the day to the finish in Bad Steben all alone. He won with a time of 4:15:00. Christian Schneidawind from Texpa-Simplon finished second in 4:19:04 and Bulls pilot Karl Platt 4:19:47 was third.

Kaess' win wasn't enough to give him the lead although the 28-year-old did gain more than 5:30 over race leader Thomas Dietsch (Team Bulls). Dietsch was able to save 23 seconds of his advantage and keep the yellow jersey.

"I thought it wouldn't work out for me today," said Dietsch. "The gap kept growing and growing, but I gave everything I have. No one in the group wanted to fight back. Luckily my team mate Stefan Sahm took the bullet for me and did a super job."

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Only Christian Schneidawind and Karl Platt were able to follow the pace of Kaess as he pushed hard early in the day.

"It was exhausting as I was leading almost the whole time," said the German Champion after his stage win. "Of course you think of a possible win. I was in a good shape and wondering why Alban (Lakata) and Thomas (Dietsch) didn't counter."

Due to his performance today, Kaess is now Dietsch's main competitor for the title.

"It works out well for me right now. I'm a good stage racer. I hope it goes on like this."

The Multivan Merida Biking Team has, with Hannes Genze (at 1:37 minutes) and Andreas Kugler (at 2:01) in third and fourth, two more arrows in its quiver. In contrast, Topeak-Ergon Racing Team member Alban Lakata had to bury his hopes of taking home the title at his first Trans Germany appearance. The European Champion suffered two mechanicals today, finished 15th and is now ranked eighth overall at 17 minutes behind Dietsch.

Suess pedals to fourth stage win

Once again, Esther Suess proved unbeatable in the women's category. The Swiss leader from the Wheeler Pro Team took 4:48:22 to finish.

"It was brutal today but luckily I caught up with the fast group," said Suess. "I had to work very hard to stay in it."

In the end, her stamina and willpower paid off as she gained another 8:40 on runner-up Sally Bigham (Topeak Ergon) who came in second with a time of 4:47:02.6. Fiat-Rotwild's Kerstin Brachtendorf secured the third spot (5:06:22) in a sprint ahead of Cube rider Milena Landtwing and Esther Brandau (Haibike).

Grasegger still the man to beat in the Master category

In the masters' classification Johann Grasegger kept his record clean. The Scott Racing team rider from Grainau mastered the course in 4:43:46. Martin Altermatt finished second ahead of Ralf Kropp from Rotor Rohloff Mad Mission (in 4:56:59.5).

Spolc also wins four

Milan Spolc (Sachsen. Land von Welt) earned his fourth triumph today in the Super Masters' race with a time of 4:51:13. With a deficit of more than 20 minutes Werner Otto from Paul Lange & Co. / Shimano rolled in second (5:11:55.2). Another minute later Belgium's Rudi Geentjens made it to the finish.

Stage 5: Bad Steben to Schoeneck

This stage will include techincal challenges and a climb to the Doebraberg, up 3.6km and 273m. Later, the racers will cross the Bavarian-Saxon border and head to Schoeneck. The final climb also counts toward the KOM category, with its 112 metres of elevation gain over two kilometres.