South African time trial champion Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio got her first ever race in Germany off to a great start in Auensteiner Radsporttage when she finished second during the opening individual time trial. The course was laid out over  6.3 kilometres and was won by Ann-Sopie Duyck (Topsport Vlaanderen) in 7min42. 

Moolman-Pasio finished 11 seconds behind the winner. Vera Koedooder added to the great start for the Bigla Pro Cycling Team by finishing fifth. The race was contested in high temperatures ranging above 30 degrees Celsius with more expected for the remaining two stages on Saturday and Sunday.

Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio
Today was really good. I'm surprising myself on the TT bike this year. It's really wonderful to be part of a set up like Bigla especially with Thomas [Campana] who has so much knowledge in the time trial. I'm finding the time trialist within and it's great because it's the next step I want to take in my career. If you want to be a GC rider, you have to be able to hold your own in the TT so I am happy. I've come from a big training block with no racing, it was really hot out there and it was my first time racing in Germany and it was a great experience so I am looking forward to the next two days. 

Vera Koedooder
I actually didn't have a really good feeling during the TT and I was angry with myself about a few corners and especially the last one where I was breaking way too much. I lost lots of speed there. Then I saw the result, only 2 seconds from the podium, it was a big bummer I lost it there. I really have to keep working on cornering at 50km/h. But on the other hand this shows my form is still good after my 2 podium places last week and I have confidence to do well in the upcoming TT's. For me longer, more flat TT's just suits a bit better so I have to be a bit satisfied with this fifth place. And of course I am happy for Ashleigh, I followed her TT and she rode a very strong one.