Simoni and Cunego battle while Dekker prevails

"Dekker benefited from Saunier and Lampre," commented Gilberto Simoni of Saunier Duval after Tour de Suisse stage six. Simoni and Damiano Cunego (Lampre) were vying for the stage victory on Crans-Montana with the aid of teammates José Angel Gomez Marchante and Marco Marzano but it was Thomas Dekker who escaped to win.

"The neutralization of the race was justified," continued Simoni to La Gazzetta dello Sport. "But in the end the stage was easier. Another advantage of the Dutchman was that he was not seen up front. ... I don't have ambitions for the classification and I am working for Gomez."

Today's stage, 125 kilometres to Grimselpass, will be more be demanding. "It will be more difficult and I will be there."

"The more days that pass the better I become," said Cunego at his former captain’s side. "I was frightened by Tiralongo [he crashed at 63km remaining - ed.]. I was right near him when it happed. Luckily, he is doing well. We put [Marco] Marzano in the front... I wanted to win. Maybe if the road hadn't leveled off.

"Now it is the tappone [Queen stage]. We will re-try. A stage win is possible, the overall victory as well.