The Tour de Suisse will this season feature four stages in the Swiss canton of Vaud. Riders are set to face a challenging course. SD Worx DS Anna Van der Breggen commented, “The first stage is very difficult right from the start. The distance of the stage may be little at 59 kilometres, but the Col de la Croix is immediately very difficult. This is immediately a tough stage.”
He added, “The climbing time trial on the second day from Aigle is 15.7 kilometres long, but also very tough. The necessary altimeters have to be overcome here too. Actually, it is an atypical build-up of a stage race. The first two stages will largely determine what the classification will look like. Then we will know how to go into the last two beautiful stages.”
Team SD Worx-Protime will, unfortunately, be without Marlen Reusser for the Tour de Suisse. The Swiss champion, who won the Tour on home soil last year, is currently recovering from a fever infection. “With Marlen, with this stage schedule with a tough time trial, you always have a favourite in the house,” said Van der Breggen.
Despite Reusser’s absence, Van der Breggen is optimistic about Demi Vollering’s chances. “For Demi, this race in Switzerland also feels a bit like a home race. After the Spanish block, she took some rest, after which she trained well again. This is also a challenging course for her where she will come into her own.”
Vollering will be joined by Niamh Fisher-Black, Mischa Bredewold, Femke Gerritse, Chantal van den Broek-Blaak, and Marie Schreiber. Van der Breggen noted, “Last year, Niamh managed to win a stage in Switzerland. That opportunity can definitely present itself again now. Niamh has also had a good training block. There are also chances for Femke and Mischa on this route. Although the first two rides will determine what will be our tactics for the last two nice stages.”
The first two stages of the Tour de Suisse will be crucial in shaping the overall classification, setting the tone for the remaining stages.
