By Susan Westemeyer Priska Doppmann of Team Cervélo Lifeforce used an 18-kilometre long solo escape...
Priska Doppmann (Cervelo Lifeforce) took the overall lead with a bold solo attack (Image credit: WomensCycling.net)
By Susan Westemeyer
Priska Doppmann of Team Cervélo Lifeforce used an 18-kilometre long solo escape to win the second stage of the Internationale Thüringen Rundfahrt der Frauen and took over the leader's jersey as well. Former leader Angela Hennig (DSB Bank) won the field sprint 17 seconds later for second place in both the stage and the overall, with Anita Valen-de Vries (Flexpoint) finishing third on the day.
"I knew I wouldn't have any chance against the good sprinters in the field," Doppmann said, "so I had to take my chance with a solo flight. And when they hesitated in the field, I gave gas. Up until nearly the finish, I thought, if they work together, they would get me. But today it all worked out."
An 11-rider strong group formed after 35 kilometres, which included favourites Judith Arndt, Hanka Kupfernagel, Noemi Cantele and Suzanne de Goede. But after reaching a lead of 1'10, the gap melted away and the peloton caught up.
