Lisa Brennauer has finished fourth last night in the individual time trial (ITT) at the International Ladies Tour of Thüringen. The 19km stage four ITT was won by Ellen van Dijk (DLT), in a time of 24 minutes and 34 seconds but who was later given a 20 second time penalty. Annemiek van Vleuten (OGE) was second while Ashleigh Moolman (CBT) was third.

Brennauer finished fourth, 43 seconds behind the winner’s original time. In a tough circuit Brennauer, the former world ITT champion, said she was satisfied. “The course was an out and back lap with a lot of up and down. It was definitely not easy but I liked it. Until the turning point we had a headwind and more uphill, where as on the way back there was more tailwind and downhill. I went fast on the first half and I think this is where most of the time was made on this course. I would have liked to make the podium but I think fourth place is still worth a lot.”

Looking ahead to the next stages Brennuaer said the profiles are tough. “The next stages are pretty hard ones with all day up and down and some serious climbs. We’re still aiming for a stage victory after we’ve been so close on the first day. We can expect very fast and hard stages and I hope we can play a big role there.”

Brennauer keeps the Best German Rider jersey going into stage five tomorrow in Greiz. She is the best placed CANYON//SRAM Racing rider on the general classification, 49 seconds behind new tour leader van Dijk. Racing starts at 14:00 (CEST) and can be followed on the team’s Twitter @WMNcycling.

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