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Oosterhout, The Netherlands - 4 September, 2015 - Lisa Brennauer has won Stage 4 at Boels Rental Ladies Tour today in Oosterhout, The Netherlands. Brennauer won the 11.4 kilometre individual time trial (ITT) stage, +2 seconds ahead of Ellen van Dijk (Boels-Dolman) and +15 seconds from team mate Trixi Worrack.
The ITT World Champion said "It was an out and back course, with lots of roundabouts and corners, so it was quite tricky. I was lucky as I was riding in the dry conditions. I mean Ellen also rode in the dry, but others for example Trixi had to ride in the rain, and for this I was lucky today."
It was a special victory for Brennauer, her last race in the coveted rainbow jersey until she tries to defend her 2015 title at Richmond UCI Road World Championships at the end of the month. "I tried to enjoy my day and not think about that it would be the last time I wear the rainbow jersey in this race season. I just enjoyed the day and I'm really happy to win another time trial in the rainbow jersey."
After winning the stage, Brennauer took over the leaders jersey, with a +1 second lead from Lucinda Brand (Rabo-Liv) and +2 seconds from van Dijk (Boels-Dolman). "It is going to be a hard fight as the GC is obviously very close, but in our team we have a lot of other riders that are also very well positioned in the overall. Trixi, Alena Amialiusik and Karol-Ann Canuel are all in the top ten. So we have more options to play than just me and that gives us very good opportunities, especially in the last stage. At the podium today I heard that the last stage is different to previous years but I'm expecting it will be the toughest stage of the tour and a lot can happen. We're excited to defend the jersey!"
Velocio-SRAM placed four riders in the top seven on today's stage, as the team prepares to defend its own World Champion title, in the Team Time Trial in Richmond. Team Director Ronny Lauke said "The girls had a great day today. The course was only short, but it's close to the business end of the season and it shows the riders are in good form. We are looking forward to defending the leaders jersey in Tour in the next days."
Meanwhile, in Tour Feminin De l'Ardeche , team mate Tayler Wiles holds onto the pink leaders jersey after finishing tenth in today's stage from Privas to Villeneuve de Berg, France. Wiles maintains a 27 second advantage over Lauren Stephens (Team Tibco-SVB) with three days to go.
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