Dutch rider solos to victory in last stage as Russian secures victoryIris Slappendel (Cervélo TestTeam) won the sixth and final stage of the Thuringen Rundfahrt, the Rund um Zeulenroda, after attacking the breakway with 20km to go. Trixi Worrack (Noris Cycling) outsprinted Andrea Bosman (Netherlands National Team) to take second place at the end of the 134.5km stage.
“I am just so happy,” said Slappendel.” It was my nicest victory ever. It is a fantastic day. When I made the final attack out of the break away, which was not working well anymore, I just took my chance and pushed. I made the gap very quickly and 10 km ahead of the finish I had 50 seconds. I kept on going full speed towards the finish. I really enjoyed the last 2 km as I was sure that I would win the race.”
A group of eight riders escaped the peloton midway through the stage, consisting of: Slappendel, Worrack, Bosman, Hanka Kupfernagel and Lisa Brennauer (both German National Team), Luise Keller and Adrie Visser (both HTC-Columbia) and Petra Dijkman (RedSun Cycling Team).
With 20km to go Visser attacked but the others chased her down; Slappendel counterattacked immediately the HTC-Columbia was captured. Visser drifted back to the peloton, but Slappendel increased he lead to finish 1’34” clear of the rest.
The overall Tour was won by Olga Zabelinskaya (Safi-Pasta Zara), who has held the lead since stage 2, ahead of Edita Pucinskaite (Gauss-RDZ-Ormu) and Noemi Cantele (HTC-Columbia).
Result stage 6
1. Iris Slappendel (Ned) Cervelo TestTeam
2. Trixi Worrack (Ger) Noris Cycling Team @ 1’34”
3. Andrea Bosman (Ned) Netherlands National Team
4. Hanka Kupfernagel (Ger) German National Team @ 1’36”
5. Petra Dijkman (Bel) RedSun Cycling Team @ 1’36”
6. Lisa Brennauer (Ger) German National Team @ 1’36”
7. Luise Keller (Ger) HTC-Columbia @ 1’43”
8. Martina Bastianelli (Ita) Fenixs-Petrogadgets @ 2’26”
9. Adrie Visser (Ned) HTC-Columbia
10. Vena Koedoodor (Ned) Netherlands National Team
Final overall standings
1. Olga Zabelinskaja (Rus) Safi-Pasta Zara
2. Edita Pucinskaite (Ltu) Gauss-RDZ-Ormu @ 2’56”
3. Noemi Cantele (Ita) HTC-Columbia @ 3’02”
4. Irene van den Broek (Ned) Netherlands National Team @ 3’38”
5. Elena Kuchinskaja (Rus) Gauss-RDZ-Ormu @ 3’53”