Cyclist Liane Lippert from Friedrichshafen is German champion. The 25-year-old confidently defended her title at the road race in the Black Forest.
It started at 2 p.m. in Donaueschingen, almost 100 riders set off on the demanding 135-kilometer route, which was peppered with many climbs.
Ten riders settle down
After about 80 kilometers, a small leading group formed from Franziska Koch, Svenja Betz and Lisa Klein, Olympic champion in the team pursuit. However, the lead of more than a minute melted away and the group of three was caught. 50 kilometers before the finish, a group of ten led around the top favorite and Defending champion Liane Lippert the field of female drivers.
Supported by family, friends and club members, 25-year-old Lippert from Friedrichshafen on Lake Constance got serious with 42 kilometers to go and picked up the pace. The field of ten was reduced to eight drivers: Antonia Niedermaier, Ricarda Bauernfeind, Kathrin Hammes, Liane Lippert, Clara Koppenburg, Lea Teutenberg, Linda Riedmann and Romy Kasper.
Liane Lippert dominates last round
Shortly before the last lap, about 30 kilometers from the finish, Liane Lippert broke away in a descent and opened up a gap that didn’t get any smaller. She started the last lap of the 26-kilometre circuit with a lead of more than 35 seconds.
Finish in Bad Dürrheim
After more than 1,800 meters in altitude and 135 kilometers in summer temperatures, it is the defending champion who confirms her form a month before the Tour de France Femmes and crosses the finish line in Bad Dürrheim safely at 5:48 p.m. More exciting was the place on the podium, which Kathrin Hammes, Antonia Niedermaier, Ricarda Bauernfeind, Clara Kloppenburg and Romy Kasper only settled among themselves in the last kilometers. Kathrin Hammes prevailed in this group and finished second, 1:07 minutes after Liane Lippert. Third was Romy Kasper.
On Sunday the German championships end with the men’s road race (from 3.15 p.m./SWR). Nils Politt waves the double. After winning the individual time trial on Friday, the defending champion from the German team Bora-hansgrohe gets on the bike as one of the favourites.
