HTC-Columbia über-sprinter just edges out Marianne Vos
Ina Teutenberg (HTC-Columbia) won the first stage of the Holland Ladies Tour in Nuenen-Gerwen, to the northeast of Eindhoven, in a close bunch sprint. It took a photograph to separate the German from World Cup winner Marianne Vos (Nederland Bloeit), with Kirsten Wild taking third at the end of the 112.2km stage.
“Ina was a little uncertain of her condition because she hasn’t raced for a while, but she proved today she’s in great form,” said HTC-Columbia director sportif Rene Wenzel. “Once it became clear it was going to be a bunch sprint, we worked hard for Ina to make sure she had her chance. It was a very tricky, technical stage, with a very technical finish that strung the riders out and the sprint was very close, but Ina got it.”
The stage was dominated by a long attack from Amy Pieters (Mixteam Merida/Gauss) and Esra Tromp (Batavus Ladies). The two Dutchwomen managed to build a maximum advantage of 2’10” by the mid part of the stage, but with most of the sport’s top sprinters present the peloton worked to bring them back before the finish.
Thanks to time bonuses on the line, Teutenberg takes the race’s first orange jersey.
HTC-Columbia’s Evelyn Stevens was among those who came down in a crash at around 20km from the finish, injuring her elbow. After finishing the stage the American was taken to hospital for x-rays, but no fracture was found.
Result stage 1
1. Ina Teutenberg (Ger) HTC-Columbia
2. Marianne Vos (Ned) Nederland Bloeit
3. Kirsten Wild (Ned) Cervélo TestTeam
4. Giorgia Bronzini (Ita) Mixteam Merida/Gauss
5. Shelley Olds (USA) United States National Team
6. Rochelle Gilmore (Aus) Lotto Ladies Team
7. Emma Johansson (Swe) RedSun Cycling Team
8. Ellen Van Dijk (Ned) HTC-Columbia
9. Annemiek Van Vleuten (Ned) Nederland Bloeit
10. Monique van de Ree (Ned) Leontien.nl
Standings after stage 1
1. Ina Teutenberg (Ger) HTC-Columbia
2. Marianne Vos (Ned) Nederland Bloeit @ 4s
3. Amy Pieters (Ned) Mixteam Merida/Gauss
4. Kirsten Wild (Ned) Cervélo TestTeam @ 5s
5. Ersa Tromp (Ned) Batavus Ladies Cycling Team