Sörensen wins at the Kitzbüheler Horn

First showdown of the favorites for the overall victory at the second stage of the 60th International Tour of Austria from Toblach/Dobbiaco up to the Kitzbüheler Horn: CSC professional Anker Chris Sorensen won with a 12 seconds lead in front of Elk professional Thomas Rohregger and 27 seconds ahead of Ruslan Pidgornyy (LPR Brakes Ballan).

For a very long time two drivers dominated the race: 40 kilometers after the start in Toblach/Dobbiaco Dimytro Grabovskyy of Quick Step and Columbia-professional Michael Barry drop away from the peloton. Their breakaway had been up to 13:40 minutes. At the final climb to the challenging Kitzbüheler Horn, with 19 turns, a length of 7.5 kilometres and a maximal climb increase of 20% (known as one of the most demanding mountains of Europe), the two leading riders were catched up after 140 km.

Rohregger opended the competition up to the Horn
Right at the beginning of the climb up to the Kitzbüheler Horn the field broke into many groups. Thomas Rohregger, who won the the stage up to the Kitzbühler Horn last year, launched the first attack and only Sorensen were able to follow him. "Right after the tollgate I attacked first and noticed that Sorensen is very strong. It was a tactical decision and I wanted to dare the Dane, who doesn´t know the mountain as well as me. But unfortunately he was able to keep time." Rohregger analysed.

Sorensen celebrates second stage win as professional
Anke Chris Sorensen winner of sixth stage of the Dauphine Libere this year, celebrates his second victory as a professional: "I just have known the mountain because of stories of my brother who was racing here. Yes, it was very difficult." Tomorrow, the Dane will wear the yellow jersey and he is not thinking to be a favorite for overall victory:" Thomas Rohregger for me is the favorite. But there will be some more difficult stages and I still need to improve my time trial. "Thomas Rohregger, who will wear the jersey of the best austrian rider, says: "My favourite is Ruslan Pidgornyy. He is very good in time trial and improved in the mountains."

Statistics of the Großglockner
Tomorrow the riders have to pass the Grossglockner, the roof of the tour. The 3rd stage is starting in Kitzbühel und the finish will be after 170 km in Prägraten. Last year won Christian Pfannberger the prestigeous “Glockner King” (Title for the 1st cyclist at the top of the Großglockner) in 47:23 minutes. The second best time had Tomas Konecny from Czech Republica with 47:46 minutes. Since the first tour in 1949 there had been 20 austrian winner of the Glockner classification. Besides Christian Pfannberger last year, Bernhard Kohl won two years ago.