Platt becomes first leader of Trans Zollernalb

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Karl Platt (Team Bulls) took the first stage of the Sparkasse Trans Zollernalb on Friday. In Balingen, the German marathon specialist sprinted out of a four-man lead group to the victory. Swiss rider Alexandre Moos (BMC) took second ahead of Austrian Alban Lakata (Topeak Ergon) and German Robert Mennen (Topeak Ergon). Ann-Katrin Hellstern (BQ-Cycling-Team / RIG Freiburg) became the first stage winner and leader in the women's category. She won ahead of Gabi Stanger (Team Centurion) and Ivonne Kraft (Team Nutrixxion).

"I am surprised because I didn't really prepare for this race. I only wanted to have three days of training here," said Platt. "I had pretty good legs from the beginning, and I thought to do one attack, but it was a good one."

Indeed, that attack was a good one. Around kilometer 25 of 57km total, Platt attacked out of a lead group of 20 men on a climb. Lakata pitched in and helped drive the attack. Only Moos was able to follow. A bit later Mennen caught the group and the four were able to keep the chasers away.

The four leaders arrived in Balingen 2:40 ahead of the chasing group with overall title defender Hannes Genze in sixth place behind René Tann. "I had no chance today," said Genze.

Lakata didn't realize how the finish had changed, and Platt went on to take the win. Due to the bonus seconds from three intermediate sprints, Platt leads Lakata, who is at the same time in the classification. Moos is three seconds behind, Mennen has a gap of nine seconds.

In the women's race, Hellstern escaped early after the start in Bad Imnau. She took a win with an advantage of 4:47 over Stanger. Kraft came in third at 6:57. The overall classification is the same.

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