Cycling: 160 kilometers from Heiden to Ossingen were on the peloton's plan today - with a profile that was tailored to the sprinters.
Regardless of this, a few kilometers after the start, the Eritrean Daniel Teklehaimanot (MTN-Qhubeka) and the Belgian Laurens de Vreese (Wanty-Groupe Goubert) fled. Meanwhile, the field took it easy and allowed the duo a maximum lead of almost four minutes.
After the first of three finish passages, however, the peloton picked up speed. Led by the Omega Pharma-QuickStep teams around overall leader Tony Martin and Mark Cavendish, as well as Katusha, the gap was rapidly shrinking. With 14 kilometers to go, both were within sight of the field. However, they were still able to secure the mountain prize, with Teklehaimanot showing the better legs.
On the descent to Ossingen it was De Vreese who attacked the Eritrean. However, he could not detach himself from his companion. Together they tried to maintain their lead of 14 seconds. And they did it relatively well – up to the 10-kilometer mark.
After that, the teams of sprinters described the picture at the front of the race. Initially, Marcus Burghardt set the pace for Team BMC before Tinkoff-Saxo vom Zschopauer took over. It was remarkable that Omega Pharma-QuickStep said goodbye to the top. The reason for this was probably a technical problem for Tony Martin, as Cavendish was able to hold his own at the top.
With two kilometers to go, Trek joined the front of the peloton. And a few meters later also Omega Pharma-QuickStep in the form of Mark Renshaw, Tom Boonen and Martin. In the last kilometer, however, it was Peter Sagan (Cannondale) who was the first to lose his nerve. Cavendish broke free from his rear wheel and confidently beat Juan Lobato (Movistar) and Sagan. Fourth place went to Sacha Modolo (Lampre-Merida).
Tony Martin defended his overall lead.