Holland Ladies Tour (V)

05-09-2009 21:21:12

Columbia-HTC's Ina-Yoko Teutenberg racked up her twenty-third victory of the season on Saturday's stage of the Ladies Tour of Holland.

Teutenberg outpowered Netherlands rider Kirsten Wild in the bunch sprint that decided the 108 kilometre stage in Nieuwegein. Teutenberg has now taken 23 victories this season, whilst her latest win takes the tally for Columbia-HTC women's team this season to 45.

"It was very windy, because 60 percent of the racing was along exposed roads and that made it a tough day overall," Teutenberg said. "By the end of the stage the bunch had split completely and I think only 30 or 40 riders finally took part in the sprint."

"But we'd done well and played it very aggressively throughout. I got into a break between kilometre 40 and kilometre 60 and then [Columbia-HTC team-mate] Chantal Beltman got a minute's gap and kept off the front until there was five kilometres to go."

"That meant we didn't have to start controlling until the very end. There was a long straightaway leading to the finish, and I came round Kirsten to win."

Teutenberg said she was pleased to have beaten Wild because the Dutch rider is "in really good shape and I haven't been able to get past her back wheel all week.

"Well, I got past her back wheel yesterday [Friday] but then she accelerated again and got the stage! So today I was very happy to win and finally beat her. I would like to be in a bit better shape than I feel  I am right now, so this win is a very encouraging sign for me. I'm pleased."