The opening day of the 2006 Tour de Suisse looks to be very much one for the sprinters. After starting in the Northern Switzerland town of Baden, close to Zurich, the riders head west towards the third category climb of Staffelegg. The road then kinks northwards to Bad Säckinggen before veering back east and taking the riders over the fourth category climb of Baldingen/Rüti, through the feedzone and the bonus sprint at Untersiggenthal (104 km) and then back to Baden for the first passage over the start/finish line.
The peloton will then complete two laps of a 23.2 kilometre finishing circuit, traversing the fourth category Hertenstein climb twice and disputing another bunch sprint at Endingen (119.8 km). A bunch gallop is the most likely outcome, with world champion Tom Boonen, Olympic champion Paolo Bettini, plus former Tour de France maillot vert winners Robbie McEwen and Erik Zabel all likely to be involved.
-
'Still plenty to unlock' – Confirmation that Sam Welsford will be launching from the 'dialled' lead out of Ineos Grenadiers in 2026 and 2027
'We haven’t had many sprinters in the team in the past but when we have, they’ve been pretty successful, so hopefully Sam can continue that history' says Director of Racing Geraint Thomas -
'Farewell Tour' in 2026 announced by Peter Stetina as he closes 20-year racing career on road and dirt
Gravel icon for privateering debuts film 'Feeding the Rat' about 2025 pursuit of Mt Washington Hillclimb record, once held by his father for 17 years -
All the new WorldTour team kits for 2026 – UAE Team Emirates, SD Worx-Protime, NSN Cycling and more
Rounding up all the reveals and new designs so far -
Best budget cycling computers: Track your ride without the big price tag
Affordable GPS head units that help you track data, plan routes, track performance metrics and more
