The women deliver a thrilling race to the many thousands of spectators in high temperatures in Albstadt. World champion Annika Langvad (DEN) is the dominant figure at the start, but she crashes several times and has no chance at the end.

Linda Indergand is in the lead for the entire distance, but Maja Wloszczowska is able to set a slightly faster pace and so Indergand loses contact more and more. In the final lap, she is joined by Jolanda Neff. The European champion rode a completely different race, a different tactic than she is known for. On the advice of her Kross team colleague Wloszczowska, she tried a more defensive riding style this time and it worked. "I had problems breathing in Nove Mesto. Today I got enough air again for the first time. It was good to start slower, then I could follow my rhythm. Maybe that's a good tactic, also for the future," explains Neff.

She leaves Indergand behind and the race becomes a three-way battle. With two kilometers to go, Belomoina, Wloszczowska and Neff enter the final climb in this order. There, the extremely strong climber from the Ukraine makes up the decisive meters and not only takes her first victory, but also the white leader's jersey. Jolanda Neff is happy with third place. "It was something different today. In Nove Mesto I started fast and everyone overtook me. Today I was able to overtake all the time, which was fun", says the other fast starter.

Linda Indergand saves fourth place (+1:10). "I wouldn't have been upset about one lap less," she laughs. "I always lost on the climbs, but I was able to catch up on the downhills. I lost Maja after Annika crashed in front of me. But I'm still very happy with my second podium."

Alessandra Keller loses fifth place on the last lap. After a start in which she was pushed off several times, she was able to ride up to fifth position at a strong pace, but was caught by Australian Rebecca Henderson on the final lap. "It was brutally tough on the last lap. It's a shame that I lost fifth place, but I'm still happy with my race," said Keller.