Michael Albasini claimed HTC-Highroad's second stage of the Bayern Rundfahrt in Germany, moving into the overall lead.

After John Degenkolb's bunch-sprint win on Thursday, Swiss climber Albasini shaded Briton Geraint Thomas and Australian Wesley Sulzberger on the 180.8km stage from Bad Gogging to Aichach.

Thomas and Sulzberger are second and third in the general classification.

"There was a big split about half way through the stage and forty riders got ahead, but there were a lot of guys in the break not working, so I was sure it was going to split again, and it did," Albasini said.

"I attacked with a group of around ten riders and we got a good gap, so we knew the win would come down to us."

"I tried to go again to get some more of an advantage over the rest, and when that didn't work, I had enough energy left to win the sprint and get the lead."

Albasini is confident he will be able to defend his overall lead with a time trial still to come.

"The last two stage races I've won after getting the lead - that was in the Tour of Britain last year and the Tour of Austria a few years back - and I'm determined to do the same again here."

Eurosport