Amy Pieters sprints to Women's Tour win in Stratford

By Andy Charles

Image: Amy Pieters prevailed in a sprint in Stratford

Amy Pieters prevailed in a sprint finish at the end of the second stage of the Aviva Women's Tour in Stratford-upon-Avon.

The Dutch sprinter, now riding for Wiggle High5, hit the line just ahead of Lisa Brennauer (Canyon SRAM) and former world champion Marianne Vos, who is the new race leader.

Rain affected much of the 140.6km stage, which started in Atherstone, and the peloton was split apart some way from the finish.

Just over 25 riders were still in contention for stage honours as the peloton entered Stratford, but it was Pieters who came out on top by a matter of millimetres from Brennauer, the overall winner of last year's race.

Stage one winner Christine Majerus finished in fifth but lost her hold on the yellow jersey to Vos courtesy of bonus seconds picked up along the route.

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Majerus is now in second, three seconds behind the Dutch superstar, with Pieters moving up to third another four seconds behind. 

Lizzie Armitstead remains the leading British rider in ninth place, 16 seconds behind, after finishing the second stage in 18th, four places behind Boels-Dolmans team-mate Nikki Harris.

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Stage 2 result: 

1 Amy Pieters (Ned) Wiggle High5 3hr 36min 55sec

2 Lisa Brennauer (Ger) Canyon SRAM st

3 Marianne Vos (Ned) Rabobank-Liv st

4 Gracie Elvin (Aus) Orica-AIS st

5 Christine Majerus (Lux) Boels-Dolmans st

Overall standings:

1 Marianne Vos (Ned) Rabobank-Liv 7hr 01min 26sec

2 Christine Majerus (Lux) Boels-Dolmans +3s

3 Amy Pieters (Ned) Wiggle High5 +7s

4 Lisa Brennauer (Ger) Canyon SRAM +11s

5 Giorgia Bronzini (Ita) Wiggle High5 +13s

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