The peloton in the Tour of Germany (2.Pro, 26-29/08) started this Friday in the rain in Sangerhausen for the second stage of 180 kilometer, but without Dries De Pooter. The trainee of Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert did not recover from his crash in the final of the opening stage. The riders from sports director Steven De Neef were prepared to defend the chances of Jonas Koch, because a new bunch sprint was expected in Ilmenau.
Just like during the opening stage, the breakaway was controlled by the peloton. The last survivor resisted until de first of two local laps in Ilmenau which contained a 900 meter climb (6.1%). During the final lap, 4.3 kilometer before the finish, bonus seconds were awarded on the top.
Georg Zimmermann was very attentive in the final and won the sprint and corresponding 3 bonus seconds. The expected sprint took place after a technical final on wet roads. Jonas Koch took 7th place in the sprint won by Alexander Kristoff. Thanks to the bonus seconds, Zimmermann climbed to 5th place in the provisional classification and acquired the white young rider’s jersey.
The peloton stays in Ilmenau for the start of the third stage on Saturday through the Forest of Thuringia, which will again be concluded by a selective local lap in Erlangen after 191 kilometer.
I'm happy with how this Tour of Germany is evolving so far. I conquered the young riders jersey and 5th place in the provisional classification. Winning bonus seconds in the final was today's goal, because it is unclear whether the conclusion of this tour will be marked by small time gaps or wether the final stage will enable the riders to create big differences. After winning the intermediate sprint, I was there was a gap so I continued. But eventually the race ended in a sprint in which Jonas finished pretty well. We communicated and worked well together all day and this won't be different the next two stages. I'm expecting a similar race scenario this Saturday, so our tactics and ambition remain the same. I want to show myself again with the white jersey on my shoulders!
Photo: Marcel Hilger – Deine Tour
