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The Lotto Thüringen Ladies Tour opened today with the first stage, 118.5km with start and finish in Jena.

The Lotto Thüringen Ladies Tour opened today with the first stage, 118.5km with start and finish in Jena. 

Tenth place for young Federica Venturelli. It was an unpredictable day, with Karlijn Swinkels going on the attack with a good chasing group in pursuit of the two outriders, but they and the rest of the peloton were stopped by a train at the level crossing with less than 10 km to go. Too much time was lost to catch up with the two in front. 

Belgian Margot Vanpachtenbeke (VolkerWessels Women's Pro Cycling Team) won the stage ahead of American Ruth Edwards (Human Powered Health). 

The peloton sprinted after more than five and a half minutes with Venturelli finishing tenth. 

Tomorrow second stage: Gera - Gera (km 119.2). 

(ph. Sprint Cycling Agency)