The German leader of Ceratizit-WNT won stage 2 of the CERATIZIT Challenge by La Vuelta 2020, an individual time-trial of 9.3km in Boadilla del Monte, to also take the red leader’s jersey. Brennauer already dominated the time-trial in the 2019 edition and battled her way to the overall victory during the final stage in Madrid.
She recorded a time of 12’40’’43, one second faster than Trek-Segafredo’s Italian star Elisa Longo Borghini. Another Trek rider finished third, the Dutchwoman Ellen Van Dijk (+4’’).
The rain played a significant part in the stage as Brennauer highlighted in her post-race comments: “I had to ride conservatively at the beginning and maybe I lost a few seconds. When I was able to go faster, I gave it all until the finish line.”
Her performance sees her move to the overall leadership with a 10’’ gap to Elisa Longo Borghini. “The team and myself will prepare a good strategy for tomorrow”, Brennauer said. “I can feel the pressure but not in a negative way.”
Lorena Wiebes (Sunweb) still leads the points classification ahead of the final stage in Madrid.
STAGE RESULT
1. Lisa Brennauer (CERATIZIT WNT Pro Cycling Team), 12’40”43
2. Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek Segafredo), + 1‘’
3. Ellen van Dijk (Trek Segafredo), + 4”
INDIVIDUAL GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1. Lisa Brennauer (CERATIZIT WNT Pro Cycling Team), 2h12’51”
2. Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek Segafredo), + 10‘’
3. Ellen van Dijk (Trek Segafredo), + 13”
