Bayern-Rundfahrt: The most important stage race in Germany is again unlucky with the weather this year. However, this does not seem to bother one person: Heinrich Haussler.
It was wet at the beginning of the tour in Vilshofen. And the weather didn't improve much on the 204-kilometer route to Freilassing. Julian Kern (Ag2R La Mondiale), Jan-Niklas Droste (Heizomat) and Dominik Weinstein (Rad-Net Rose) took advantage of the moment and broke away from the field early on. Together, the trio was able to achieve a maximum lead of 4:40 minutes.
While Droste secured the sprint ratings, Kern can look forward to the jersey of the best climber. Both were also the strongest drivers of the trio. Weinstein was unable to keep up with the duo a few kilometers from the finish. But when the MTN-Qhubeka and NetApp-Endura teams picked up speed in the field, Droste's and Kern's lead dwindled rapidly.
The escape was over two kilometers from the finish. The sprinters then set the tone on the rain-soaked track – with the best finish for Haussler (IAM). The Australian, who won the rainy finale in Nuremberg last year, can look forward to the overall lead in addition to the day's win. Second was Yauheni Hutarovich (Ag2R La Mondiale), third was Steele von Hoff (Garmin-Sharp).
Tomorrow, however, the overall ranking will change, then the final up to the Winklmoosalm will take place.