Stevie Williams (Bahrain Victorious) carries the yellow jersey into stage 2 of the Tour de Suisse, which brings the race 198km from Küsnacht to Aesch. The terrain is rolling for the most part, but the succession of classified climbs in the final 70km should whittle down the bunch and the last ascent, the category 2 Challpass, looks a likely springboard for attackers.
The neutralised start is at 12:10 local time, with the peloton scheduled to reach kilometre zero at 12:17.
The overall standings ahead of stage 2 are available here:
Stevie Williams reports for the start of stage 2 of the Tour de Suisse in the yellow jersey. (Image credit: Getty)
Yesterday's victory was the biggest of Stevie Williams' career to date. The Welshman showed his quality as an under-23 rider with victory at the prestigious Ronde de l'Isard in 2018, and he was billed as 'the next Dan Martin' when he turned professional the following year. A knee injury ruined his debut campaign, however, and there was little scope to make up for lost time when the 2020 season was interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. In some ways, 2021 was almost like a neo-pro campaign for Williams, and he finished the year with overall victory at the Cro Race.
The peloton is on the start line and ready for the roll out. Yesterday's breathless stage opened some gaps and that might allow some breathing room for the early break - but teams like BikeExchange-Jayco will sense an opportunity to tee up a reduced bunch sprint at the finish, with Michael Matthews eager to add to the two Tour de Suisse stages he has won in the past.
The peloton is navigating the 5.5km-long neutralised zone ahead of the official start. There are 2775m of climbing on the agenda this afternoon, including three categorised ascents - the category 2 Gempen (5.4km at 4.6%), the category 3 Eichenberg (3km at 7.4%) and the category 2 Challpass (6.3km at 6.3%). The summit of the Challpass comes just under 14km from the finish in Aesch.
-198km
The peloton has hit kilometre zero and stage 2 of the Tour de Suisse is formally underway.
There's a rapid start to proceedings, with the peloton strung into a long line, but in the opening kilometres, no breakaway attempt has been able to gain any traction.
-188km
It's been a brisk start, with the speed touching 50kph, but still no break has managed to establish itself.
-181km
A trio of riders open a small gap over the peloton but they are immediately brought to heel and the high-speed stalemate continues.
Alex Aranburu (Movistar) was the victim of an early mechanical incident but the Basque has safely made his way back up to the peloton.
While the Tour de Suisse is cranking into action, the other great warm-up event for the Tour de France concluded yesterday with a striking display of dominance from Jumbo-Visma. Jonas Vingegaard won the final stage atop Plateau de Salaison after coming home alongside teammate and overall winner Primoz Roglic. “I do think I have a good chance,” Vingegaard said when asked about his chances of winning the Tour. “What really started the belief was that I was able to drop [Tadej] Pogačar on Mont Ventoux last year."
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Tadej Pogacar, meanwhile, has echewed both the Dauphine and the Tour de Suisse, preferring to prepare for July on home roads at the Tour of Slovenia, which gets underway on Wednesday.
“It’s been a while since I last pinned on a race number so I’m eager and excited to get back into it," said Pogacar, who has been training in Livigno in recent weeks. "I’ve been feeling pretty good in training, but it’s always hard know exactly how you’re going until you’re in the race.
"This Tour of Slovenia is an especially nice race for me : Stage 4 passes through my hometown of Komenda. I obviously know the roads and climbs quite well and I look forward to see friends and family who will be out cheering the race."
(Image credit: Dion Kerckhoffs/CV/SprintCyclingAgency)
-174km
Back at the Tour de Suisse, meanwhile, Pogacar's teammate Marc Hirschi is temporarily halted by a mechanical issue, but the Swiss rider will quickly rejoin the peloton.
-170km
A group of eight riders manages to open a small gap over the peloton near Rüti, and it looks as though the day's early break is about to take shape.
-165km
The eight escapees are: Matt Holmes (Lotto Soudal), Michael Schär (AG2R Citroën), Matteo Badilatti (Groupama-FDJ), Simon Pellaud (Trek-Segafredo), Jonas Rutsch (EF Education-EasyPost), Leonardo Basso (Astana-Qazaqstan), Joel Suter (UAE Team Emirates) and Lorrenzo Manzin (TotalEnergies).
The break quickly amasses a lead of two minutes over the bunch, leaving Holmes as the virtual yellow jersey. Meanwhile, Simon Vitzthum and Claudio Imhof of the Swiss national team are trying to bridge up to the move.
-161km
Break:
Matt Holmes (Lotto Soudal), Michael Schär (AG2R Citroën), Matteo Badilatti (Groupama-FDJ), Simon Pellaud (Trek-Segafredo), Jonas Rutsch (EF Education-EasyPost), Leonardo Basso (Astana-Qazaqstan), Joel Suter (UAE Team Emirates) and Mathieu Burguadeau (TotalEnergies)
Chasers at 1:43
Simon Vitzthum (Swiss Cycling) and Claudio Imhof (Swiss Cycling)
Peloton at 2:30
Correction: the TotalEnergies rider out in front is Mathieu Burguadeau. The French squad has Peter Sagan in action in Switzerland, incidentally. After illness ruined the first half of his season, the three-time world champion is looking to build up some form here and perhaps even add to his running tally of 17 Tour de Suisse stage victories.
Imhof and Vitzthum continue to battle grimly as they try to bridge up to the break, though they still have 90 seconds or so to recoup.
-154km
Break:
Matt Holmes (Lotto Soudal), Michael Schär (AG2R Citroën), Matteo Badilatti (Groupama-FDJ), Simon Pellaud (Trek-Segafredo), Jonas Rutsch (EF Education-EasyPost), Leonardo Basso (Astana-Qazaqstan), Joel Suter (UAE Team Emirates) and Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies)
Chasers at 1:25:
Simon Vitzthum and Claudio Imhof (Swiss Cycling)
Peloton at 3:05
Simon Vitzthum and Claudio Imhof have closed to within a minute of the break, but this pursuit is anything but straightforward. The eight leaders, meanwhile, have covered some 49.7km in the first hour of racing.
-142km
This has been a fine effort from Imhof and Vitzthum, who are now within half a minute of the eight leaders.
Another correction from race radio: Andreas Leknessund (DSM) is in the front group and not Simon Pellaud (Trek-Segafredo). An understandable error, perhaps, given Pellaud's boundless appetite for breaking away.
-131km
Meanwhile, the Swiss tandem has bridged up to the early break, leaving ten riders at the head of the race, 3 minutes clear of the Bahrain-led peloton.
Situation
Break:
Matt Holmes (Lotto Soudal), Michael Schär (AG2R Citroën), Matteo Badilatti (Groupama-FDJ), Andreas Leknessund (DSM), Jonas Rutsch (EF Education-EasyPost), Leonardo Basso (Astana-Qazaqstan), Joel Suter (UAE Team Emirates), Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies). Simon Vitzthum (Swiss Cycling) and Claudio Imhof (Swiss Cycling)
Peloton at 3:00
-124km
The ten leaders extend their advantage to 3:30 on the unclassified climb towards Bozberg. There are three categorised climbs later in the stage, including the stiff Challpass, whose summit comes with 13.8km remaining.
A lot of riders at the Tour de Suisse are still competing for selection for the Tour de France, but one rider elsewhere who has already confirmed his participation is Romain Bardet (DSM). The Frenchman was forced to abandon the Giro d'Italia on stage 13 due to illness, and while he was lying 4th overall. He hasn't raced since, but he announced on Monday morning that he would be in the DSM line-up for the Tour. Read the full story here.
(Image credit: Michael Steele/Getty Images)
-110km
Break:
Matt Holmes (Lotto Soudal), Michael Schär (AG2R Citroën), Matteo Badilatti (Groupama-FDJ), Andreas Leknessund (DSM), Jonas Rutsch (EF Education-EasyPost), Leonardo Basso (Astana-Qazaqstan), Joel Suter (UAE Team Emirates), Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies). Simon Vitzthum (Swiss Cycling) and Claudio Imhof (Swiss Cycling)
Peloton at 3:35
The terrain becomes ever more rugged as the day progresses and the average speed has dropped accordingly. After two hours of racing, the break had averaged 44.5kph.
-100km
Into the final 100km for Matt Holmes (Lotto Soudal), Michael Schär (AG2R Citroën), Matteo Badilatti (Groupama-FDJ), Andreas Leknessund (DSM), Jonas Rutsch (EF Education-EasyPost), Leonardo Basso (Astana-Qazaqstan), Joel Suter (UAE Team Emirates), Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies). Simon Vitzthum (Swiss Cycling) and Claudio Imhof (Swiss Cycling), who have 3:37 in hand on the peloton.
Bahrain Victorious continue to set the tempo in the peloton and the break's hopes of going the distance are tempered by the proximity of three of their number to Stevie Williams' yellow jersey. Burgaudeau, Leknussund and Holmes all began the day within 1:01 of the Welshman.
-91km
Break:
Matt Holmes (Lotto Soudal), Michael Schär (AG2R Citroën), Matteo Badilatti (Groupama-FDJ), Andreas Leknessund (DSM), Jonas Rutsch (EF Education-EasyPost), Leonardo Basso (Astana-Qazaqstan), Joel Suter (UAE Team Emirates), Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies). Simon Vitzthum (Swiss Cycling) and Claudio Imhof (Swiss Cycling)
Peloton at 3:21
-86km
On an unclassified climb near Rickenbach, Suter and Rutsch have attacked from the break. Imhof is in difficulty at the rear of the break.
-81km
Break:
Jonas Rutsch (EF Education-EasyPost), Joel Suter (UAE Team Emirates),
Chasers at 0:38:
Matt Holmes (Lotto Soudal), Michael Schär (AG2R Citroën), Matteo Badilatti (Groupama-FDJ), Andreas Leknessund (DSM), Leonardo Basso (Astana-Qazaqstan), Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies). Simon Vitzthum (Swiss Cycling)
Chaser at 1:15:
Claudio Imhof (Swiss Cycling)
Peloton at 4:30
Rutsch and Suter are approaching the base of the day's first classified climb of Gempen with a buffer of 39 seconds over the rest of the break and 4:30 on the peloton. The category 2 ascent is 5.4km at an average gradient of 4.6%.
Claudio Imhof has been caught by the peloton on the lower slopes of Gempen. Rutsch and Suter remain at the head of the race, 32 seconds clear of the rest of the break and now some 5:34 ahead of the peloton.
-69km
Joel Suter (UAE Team Emirates) leads over the summit of Gempen, but he and Rutsch have been recaptured by the rest of the break on the climb. The nine leaders have 5:46 in hand on a peloton where it seems nobody has yet come forward to put their shoulders to the wheel alongside the earlier chasers Bahrain Victorious.
Break:
Jonas Rutsch (EF Education-EasyPost), Joel Suter (UAE Team Emirates), Matt Holmes (Lotto Soudal), Michael Schär (AG2R Citroën), Matteo Badilatti (Groupama-FDJ), Andreas Leknessund (DSM), Leonardo Basso (Astana-Qazaqstan), Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies). Simon Vitzthum (Swiss Cycling)
Peloton at 5:46
-63km
Leonardo Basso (Astana-Qazaqstan) has been distanced from the break. The peloton, meanwhile, is now some 6:15 adrift and the remaining escapees might begin to believe in their prospects of going the distance. There are, however, still two classified climbs on the agenda.
Simon Vitzhthum has also lost contact with the break, leaving seven riders at the head of the race. Meanwhile, Dario Cataldo (Trek-Segafredo), 'fresh' from the Giro d'Italia, has abandoned the race.
-57km
Andreas Leknussund (DSM) wins the intermediate sprint at Reinacherstrasse ahead of Holmes and Burgaudeau. That puts him in the virtual overall lead by a second ahead of Holmes and two ahead of Burgaudeau.
-56km
Break:
Jonas Rutsch (EF Education-EasyPost), Joel Suter (UAE Team Emirates), Matt Holmes (Lotto Soudal), Michael Schär (AG2R Citroën), Matteo Badilatti (Groupama-FDJ), Andreas Leknessund (DSM), Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies)
Peloton at 5:51
Bora-Hansgrohe have joined Bahrain Victorious in setting the tempo in the peloton. Max Schachmann lies second overall, while the German squad also have Aleksandr Vlasov and Sergio Higuita well placed in the GC standings.
Ineos have also joined the pace-setting effort at the head of the bunch. Daniel Martinez surprisingly lost 51 seconds yesterday, but Geraint Thomas and Adam Yates were both safely in the front group.
-50km
QuickStep-AlphaVinyl also look set to contribute to the chase in the peloton with a mind to protecting the interests of Remco Evenepoel. Leknussund is a dangerman of sorts in this move, and the GC contenders will want to curtail this break's advantage by day's end.
The seven leaders have rolled through the finish line in Aesch for the first time with a lead of 5:22 over the peloton. They will begin climbing again shortly on the category 3 Eichenberg (3km at 7.4%), and the road drags up afterwards for another 6km towards the second intermediate sprint at Bretzwil.
-45km
The combined efforts of Bora-Hansgrohe, Ineos and QuickStep-AlphaVinyl are beginning to make some inroads into the break's lead. 4:41 the gap.
-44km
The leaders hit the base of the Eichenberg, and their ability to defend their advantage over the next 3km or so could reveal much about their prospects of going the distance.
-43km
The break's lead is beginning to deflate gradually. Anton Palzer (Bora-Hansgrohe) is the man performing the puncturing with a solid stint of pace-making in the peloton.
Out front, the break begins to splinter on the Eichenberg under the forcing of Leknussund. The Norwegian's pressure proves too much for Suter, Badilatti and Schar.
Schar has foght his way back up to Leknussund, Burgaudeau, Holmes and Rutsch, and this quintet will lead over the Eichenberg.
-42km
Leknussund leads the break over the climb with a lead of 3:50 over the peloton. Once Palzer swung off, the pace relented in the bunch on the climb.
-40km
Break:
Jonas Rutsch (EF Education-EasyPost), Matt Holmes (Lotto Soudal), Michael Schär (AG2R Citroën), Andreas Leknessund (DSM), Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies)
Peloton at 3:55
The pace abated in the bunch on the upper slopes of that climb, and the break's lead extended accordingly. 4:15 the gap.
-36km
Andreas Leknessund (DSM) was the strongest of the break on the ascent, but he has plenty of help from Jonas Rutsch (EF Education-EasyPost), Matt Holmes (Lotto Soudal), Michael Schär (AG2R Citroën) and Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies) on the drag that follows. The five leaders remain more than four minutes clear of the bunch.
-35km
Matteo Badilatti (Groupama-FDJ) has fought his way back up to the break, leaving six riders at the head of the race ahead of the second intermediate sprint. Leknessund is first across the line in Bretzwil, picking up another 3 bonus seconds in the process.
-34km
Break:
Jonas Rutsch (EF Education-EasyPost), Matt Holmes (Lotto Soudal), Michael Schär (AG2R Citroën), Matteo Badilatti (Groupama-FDJ), Andreas Leknessund (DSM), Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies)
Peloton at 3:55
Leonardo Basso (Astana-Qazaqstan), who was part of the day's early break, has abandoned the Tour de Suisse.
Dylan van Baarle (Ineos) has taken up the reins in the peloton after the climb of Eichenberg, and his efforts are helping to pare down the break's lead. A sizeable delegation from Bora-Hansgrohe is lined up towards the head of the bunch.
-31km
The escapees are on the long drop towards Röschenz and the beginning of the day's final climb of the Challpass. Their lead over the peloton is 3:30.
There is considerably more urgency in the peloton's pursuit as the race enters the final 30km, with QuickStep, Ineos and Bora-Hansgrohe all swapping turns as they chase the surviving escapees.
-29km
Break:
Jonas Rutsch (EF Education-EasyPost), Matt Holmes (Lotto Soudal), Michael Schär (AG2R Citroën), Matteo Badilatti (Groupama-FDJ), Andreas Leknessund (DSM), Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies).
Peloton at 3:12
-27km
The break's lead continues to contract as the kilometres tick by. The gap is down to 2:04. Stevie Williams is well perched near the head of the race, but his Bahrain Victorious squad is not having to perform the chasing for the time being.
-25km
Break:
Jonas Rutsch (EF Education-EasyPost), Matt Holmes (Lotto Soudal), Michael Schär (AG2R Citroën), Matteo Badilatti (Groupama-FDJ), Andreas Leknessund (DSM), Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies)
Peloton at 2:50
The category 2 Challpass begins with a shade under 19km to go. The ascent is 6.3km at 6.3% and likely to be the site of some fireworks.
On downhill run towards the base of the climb, Tim Declercq is prominent in leading the bunch on behalf of his QuickStep leader Remco Evenepoel.
Jonas Rutsch (EF Education-EasyPost), Matt Holmes (Lotto Soudal), Michael Schär (AG2R Citroën), Matteo Badilatti (Groupama-FDJ), Andreas Leknessund (DSM) and Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies) are still collaborating well, but their advantage is tumbling now as the intensity continues to ratchet upwards in the peloton.
-20km
The escapees trundle through Laufen with a lead of 2:05 over the peloton.
Tim Declercq swings off, his job done, as the climb of the Challpass rears into view. The break is 1:47 clear of the bunch as the gradient begins to bite.
-19.5km
Break:
Jonas Rutsch (EF Education-EasyPost), Matt Holmes (Lotto Soudal), Michael Schär (AG2R Citroën), Matteo Badilatti (Groupama-FDJ), Andreas Leknessund (DSM), Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies)
Peloton at 1:45
Badilatti is immediately in difficulty as the Challpass begins and the Groupama-FDJ man is again dropped by the break, perhaps this time irretrievably.
-19km
Louis Vervaeke sets the pace in the peloton for QuickStep's Remco Evenepoel. 1:33 the gap to the break.
Leknessund stretches out the break, but that doesn't discourage Burgaudeau, who launches an acceleration. Rutsch immediately follows, with the rest of the break joining them shortly afterwards.
-18km
Now Leknessund decides to make an acceleration of his own, and the Norwegian rips clear of the rest of the break. Nobody, it seems, can match his pace.
-17.5km
Break:
Andreas Leknessund (DSM)
Chasers:
Jonas Rutsch (EF Education-EasyPost), Matt Holmes (Lotto Soudal), Michael Schär (AG2R Citroën), Matteo Badilatti (Groupama-FDJ), Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies)
Peloton at 1:30
Leknessund's acceleration is a powerful one and he has completely distanced his erstwhile companions. They won't see him again, but the Norwegian will do well to hold off the bunch, which is at 1:36.
It's a hugely impressive effort from Leknessund, who has put 20 seconds into the rest of the break and stretched his lead over the bunch out to 1:49.
Alpecin-Fenix have taken up the reins in the peloton, 1:53 behind Leknessund. Peter Sagan (TotalEnergies), meanwhile, is among the fast men burnt off by the peloton on the Challpass. The three-time world champion won't be adding to his tally of 17 Tour de Suisse stage wins.
-16km
Break:
Andreas Leknessund (DSM)
Chasers at 0:46
Jonas Rutsch (EF Education-EasyPost), Matt Holmes (Lotto Soudal), Michael Schär (AG2R Citroën), Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies).
Peloton at 1:51
Andreas Leknessund (DSM) isn't conceding an inch to the peloton on this climb The Norwegian's initial acceleration was striking and he has scarcely relented since. He still has a couple of kilometres of climbing to go, however, and the stiffest part of the ascent is coming up.
-15km
Leknessund climbs out of the saddle as he battles to maintain his advantage. Alpecin-Fenix continue to lead the peloton, still 1:45 down on the Norwegian.
Leknessund has put 1:05 into the rest of the break and he still has 1:39 in hand on the bunch as he approaches the top of the Challpass. The Norwegian is on the cusp of claiming both stage honours and the overall lead...
-14km
Andreas Leknessund (DSM) crests the summit of the Challpass with a lead of 1:36 over the bunch. Rutsch leads the remants of the break past the same point over a minute down on Leknessund.
UAE Team Emirates move to head of the peloton as its crests the top of the Challpass, but the gap is still 1:29 and Leknessund is still on course for stage victory.
Leknessund began the day 1:01 down on Stevie Williams' overall lead, and he has already picked up 6 seconds in bonuses this afternoon. There are another 10 seconds on offer for the stage winner, which means Williams' lead is very much under threat.
-11km
It's not quite a straight drop to the finish, and the few sectors of flat on the way to Aesch could - could - give the bunch a chance to recoup some ground on Leknessund. But the DSM rider is showing few signs of flagging just yet.
-10km
Leknessund hits the final 10km with 44 seconds in hand on Rutsch et al and 1:27 on the peloton.
-8km
The 23-year-old Leknessund remains on course for the first win of his professional career. The Norwegian has been hugely impressive and would be full value for the triumph. He has 59 seconds on Rutsch and Schar, and 1:21 on the bunch.
DSM are doing their best to disrupt the chase effort in the peloton, though Leknessund might not need this kind of help. He continues to pile on the pressure at the front, 1:20 clear of the bunch.
Intermarche-Wanty-Gobert are leading the pursuit in this final kilometres, but they won't bring back Leknessund barring accident.
-5km
Andreas Leknessund (DSM) is still fluid as he sweeps through the bends on this descent. The road levels out in the final couple of kilometres and that's where the bunch might begin to claw him back, but he still has 1:07 of his lead intact as he enters the final 5km.
-4km
Williams will need to finish within 45 seconds of Leknessund if he is to retain his overall lead. The gap is at 1:05 as the race enters the last 4km. Meanwhile, the remnants of the break appear to have been caught by the chasing peloton, though we await confirmation of the position of Matt Holmes.
-3km
Andreas Leknessund (DSM) enters the final 3km with a lead of 1:05 on the bunch, where Alpecin, UAE and Intermarche lead the chase. Leknessund looks every inch the stage winner - but can he add the leader's jersey too?
-2km
The camera sweeps back to confirm that there are no more riders on the road between Leknessund and the bunch. The Norwegian still has more than a minute in hand as he hits the last 2km. Stage victory is all but a certainty at this point.
It's notable that Bahrain Victorious are not contributing to the pursuit in these final kilometres. It's touch and go for Williams' yellow jersey...
-1km
Leknessund passes beneath the flamme rouge with a minute in hand on the bunch. A smile breaks out across his face as he realises his first pro win is close at hand...
Andreas Leknessund (DSM) wins stage 2 of the Tour de Suisse. He takes one last look over his shoulder before he celebrates his victory.
Alberto Bettiol (EF Education-EasyPost) wins the sprint for second place, 33 seconds down on Leknessund. The Italian raises his arms in celebration, not realising Leknessund is already home, hosed and heading for the podium.
Bettiol realises his error, but his friend Matteo Trentin (UAE Team Emirates) can't resist poking a little fun at his expense, lifting his arm in 'celebration' in front of a television camera. Bettiol, to his credit, takes the joke in the spirit in which it's intended.
The day belongs to Andreas Leknessund (DSM), who wins the stage but does not, it seems, take the yellow jersey, though we await confirmation of the final time gap to the peloton.
Michael Matthews (BikeExchange-Jayco) was third on the stage, ahead of Matteo Trentin (UAE Team Emirates) and Andrea Pasqualon (Intermarche-Wanty-Gobert).
The gap was 38 seconds, which means that Stevie Williams (Bahrain Victorious) remains the overall leader of the Tour de Suisse.
Result
1 Andreas Leknessund (Nor) Team DSM 4:46:22
2 Alberto Bettiol (Ita) EF Education-EasyPost 00:00:38
3 Michael Matthews (Aus) BikeExchange-Jayco
4 Andrea Pasqualon (Ita) Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert
5 Matteo Trentin (Ita) UAE Team Emirates
6 Nikias Arndt (Ger) Team DSM
7 Stefan Küng (Swi) Groupama-FDJ
8 Edoardo Zambanini (Ita) Bahrain Victorious
9 Daniel Oss (Ita) TotalEnergies
10 Stefano Oldani (Ita) Alpecin-Fenix
General classification after stage 2
1 Stephen Williams (GBr) Bahrain Victorious 09:03:41
2 Maximilian Schachmann (Ger) Bora-Hansgrohe 00:00:04
Andreas Leknessund (DSM) on his stage victory: "There's not much to say. It was full gas but the hardest part was maybe the climb, I thought if I can just get the gap, I should be able to go to the finish. I was suffering in the final kilometres of the stage bu also enjoying it. My objective here was stages, and also for the team. I'll try to be aggressive and go in the breaks again."
Alberto Bettiol being Alberto Bettiol, he can smile about his second place and mistaken celebration. "I beat my Italian friend so I was still happy. I don’t know what happened – as you can see, my radio is off – and now my friends will all be joking with me today and tomorrow," Bettiol said.
"It was a really tough stage, and we almost won. Jonas was in the front. Yesterday he wasn’t feeling good but today he showed that he was. I had all the team around me in the final and I think after the bad performance from yesterday, we are back on track."
Bettiol's error shouldn't detract from the quality of his performance. Illness ruined the Italian's spring, but his sprint here augurs very well indeed for his Tour de France. And EF Education-EasyPost, caught up in a WorldTour relegation battle, could certainly do with something close to Bettiol's best over the rest of the campaign.
"I just started my approach to the Tour de France, my big appointment of the year. I didn’t race much in the first part of the year because I had some health problems with COVID and stuff, but I’m really, really happy," Bettiol said. "I’ve just started and I think I will improve a lot during the Tour de Suisse. This year it’s really tough and I think that’s good for me."
(Image credit: Tim de Waele/Getty Images)
(Image credit: Tim de Waele/Getty Images)
A full report, results and pictures from today's stage are available here.
(Image credit: Tim de Waele/Getty Images)
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