André Schulze of Leipzig is the new leader of the French Tour de l'Ain. The Team NetApp rider paved the way on today's first half-stage with a second place finish in the mass sprint. The second part of the stage took place in the evening as a team time trial over 12 kilometers. Team NetApp again proved its quality in this discipline with a deficit of only four seconds behind Omega Pharma – Quickstep.

"Second place was already a success for us this morning. The team prepared the sprint really well for André. Everyone harmonized to perfection and we took this strength with us into the time trial. Unfortunately, Michael Schwarzmann had to drop out early due to illness. Otherwise, the decision could have been even closer. Two second place finishes and a yellow jersey are terrific outcomes for a racing day," said a delighted Enrico Poitschke, Sport Director of Team NetApp.

"Starting tomorrow the cards will be reshuffled. We won't be worrying about defending the yellow jersey for André. The route profile is better suited to other riders on the team. Instead we'll try to do well with a stage win and keep the good starting position for our mountain riders," Enrico Poitschke predicts.

The third stage of the Tour de l'Ain will take the field of riders into the Jura Mountains. About halfway through the 148-km route from Belley to Montreal-la-Cluse, the Col de la Lèbe awaits the riders with its 915 meters in altitude (Cat. 1). Shortly thereafter two additional mountain classifications in the second and third category will follow before reaching the finish.

Stage 1, August 7th
Montmerle-Sur-Saone – Trevoux (146,2 km)

Stage 2, August 8th
Lagnieu – Amberieu-en-Bugey (83 km)
TTT – Saint-Vulbas / Plaine de L’Ain (10,7 km)

Stage 3, August 9th
Belley – Montreal-la-Cluse (148,5 km)

Stage 4, August 10th
Nantua – Septmoncel (156,7 km)

Stage 5, August 11th
Saint-Claude – Lelex Monts-Jura (134,7 km)

Line-up:
Jan Barta, Daniel Schorn, Andre Schulze, Michael Schwarzmann, Markus Eichler, Matthias Brändle, Blaz Jarc

Website of the race