Hans Genze and Andy Kugler edged out Multivan-Merida team-mates Jose Antonio Hermida and Rudi Van Houts to win the Queen Stage of the Andalucia Bike Race.

The 87km stage, which packed in 2,741 metres of climbing, saw Genze and Kugler cross the line just 1.2 seconds ahead of race leaders Van Houts and 2010 cross country world champion Hermida, who described the route as “exceptional”.

The surprise of the day was the retirement of the Esteve Portuguese team – Luis Leao Pinto and Tiago Ferreira – due to injury, moving the Multivan Merida 2 duo of Genze and Kugler up to second overall.

In female category, Nathalie Scheitter and Sabrina Mauerer clinched their first stage victory a few seconds ahead of Sally Bigham and team-mate Milena Landtwig, who have dominated the race since the prologue. In the master category, locals Jose Urea and Jesus Lindez crossed the line first on their home stage.

View the full results online at www.andaluciabikerace.com/resultados