Heinrich Haussler has won the opening stage of the Bayern Rundfahrt in Germany.
There was a strong field including the likes of Fabian Cancellera of Trek Factory racing, Simon Gerrans and Darryl Impey of Orica Greenedge as well as British riders in Geraint Thomas, Luke Rowe and Peter Kennaugh for Team Sky and veteran David Millar for Garmin Sharp for the opening 201.6km stage from Vilshofen in Bavaraia to Freilassing.
It was however, Julien Kern of AG2R, Dominic Weinstein of Rad Net & Jan Droste of Team Heizomat who were on the attack taking a lead of 2.25 after twenty kilometres.
Twenty kilometres later and they were 6.10 clear but their lead was back down to 3.20 after 97kms.
Going into the final sixty kilometres and the trio were 1.20 clear. Weinstein dropped back with 27kms to go and Kern and Droste were able to stay away until the last five kilometres when the peloton led by Team Sky, Giant-Shimano and Katusha brought them back.
The sprint was on and it was Heinrich Haussler of IAM Cycling, who took his first win since the last Bayern Rundfaht, beating, Hutarovich, Von Hoff, Bennett, Kluge, Arndt, Krieger, Rowe, Tsatevich and Willwohl.