The Albstadt course is known for its long, steep climbs and fast, rough descents. Many a rider has gone out too hard only to crack in the second half of the race and quickly lose positions.
A dozen riders came out of the start loop with the leading group, but by the end of the first lap there were only two left - Rissveds and Alessandra Keller (Strubey-Bixs). American champion Kate Courtney (Specialized), third in the first round, was nine seconds back but could not close the gap, while other contenders were even further behind.
Margot Moschetti (Betch.nl Superior Brentjens), second last week and a strong climber, was expected to be Rissveds main challenger, but was clearly struggling and eventually finished fifth, after suffering from illness all week.
Rissveds and Keller rode together for the first half of the race, but then Rissveds began to slowly pull away; 13 seconds after the fourth lap, 28 seconds at the start of the sixth and final lap, and 49 seconds at the finish line.
Keller looked pleased to take second and, combined with her fourth place result in the first round, it moved the Swiss rider up to second overall. Courtney rode her own race to finish third, but was over three minutes down on Rissveds.
"On the first lap, Alessandra and I worked together to stay away from Kate [Courtney]'" explained Rissveds. "My plan was to attack on the second lap, but I could not drop Alessandra right away. So I tried again on the next lap and it worked."
Rissveds leads after two rounds with a perfect 180 points, followed by Keller and Courtney, both at 120 points. Keller is in second by virtue of her higher placing in the latest round. Moschetti drops to fourth, a further 10 points in arrears.