Mennen executes perfect strategy to take Trans Zollernalb overall

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Robert Mennen (Topeak-Ergon) won the second edition of the Trans Zollernalb while Hannes Genze (Multivan Merida) took the final stage victory. In the women's competition, Ann-Kathrin Hellstern (BQ-Cycling-Team / RIG Freiburg) won her third of three stages in front of Gabi Stanger (Team Centurion) and Ivonne Kraft (Team Nutrixxion).

The Topeak-Ergon team's strategy was successful. Its riders took advantage of the overall situation before third and final stage. While Karl Platt (Bulls) was wearing the yellow jersey with a two-second lead over (Topeak-Ergon) and five seconds over Alexandre Moos (BMC), Robert Mennen (Topeak-Ergon) was in fourth overall.

After Lakata attacked early, but was caught by Platt. Mennen tried and Platt went on his wheel. Then Mennen tried a second time, and Platt didn't react while Moos did nothing at all.

Genze jumped the gap to Mennen and the two riders went away together. Working together, the extended their gap to more than five minutes because the chasers did not actually chase.

"For me, it was a perfect situation," Genze said "and I speculated exactly on this tactic."

While Genze took the stage and second place overall, Mennen was celebrated as the overall winner in front of a big crowd.

"It went perfectly for us. I had good legs but Hannes was also working hard for us. It's a super success for me and for team," said Mennen. "We had a great race with a perfect organization."

Mennen's teammate Lakata ended up in fourth position on the stage and overall. "I'm happy for Robert and for the team. I will come back next year to win by myself. This stage race was exciting," Lakata said.

Platt was worried about losing yellow. "In the decisive moment, I was alone, without teammates because Thomas (Dietsch) struggled, and Tim (Böhme) had a puncture. I couldn't catch the attacks alone," said Platt, who ended up in third place.

Hellstern wins with a broken finger

Despite a broken finger, Ann-Kathrin Hellstern extended her winning streak to a third consecutive stage and the overall. In the beginning, she escaped from her contenders and rode to a solid win. Ivonne Kraft came close to Gabi Stanger but in the end, it was the same ranking as in the previous days.

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