photo credits @ Tour de Suisse
Peter Sagan continued his winning ways at this year’s Tour de Suisse, after winning his second consecutive victory in a sprint finale against Michael Albasini (Orica-GreenEdge) and Silvan Dillier (BMC) in Rehinfelden today.
Race Highlights
An 8-rider breakaway group containing Silvan Dillier (BMC), Sven Erik Byström (Katusha), Gregory Rast (Trek-Segafredo), Matthew Hayman (Orica-GreenEdge), Branislau Samoilau (CCC Sprandi Polkowice), Bruno Pires (Team Roth), Antwan Tolhoek and Hub Duijn (Roompot Oranje Peloton), eventually succeeded in riding clear of the peloton after 14 kilometers of racing.
After 20 kilometers of racing, the breakaway group had established only a slight advantage of about a minute and a half over the peloton. However after an additional 30 kilometers of racing, the breakaway group’s lead had swelled to more than five minutes.
Orica-GreenEdge’s Amets Txurruka was the first rider in the peloton to try and bridge his way to the breakaway group, but to no avail.
However, with 20 kilometres to go, only four of the original breakaway riders managed to stay out front, as the peloton continued to bear down on the escapees.
Sensing the opportunity for a stage win, Albasini had his teammates Chris Juul-Jensen and Mat Hayman usher him to the front of the peloton during the last 18 kilometers.
Not long after, Albasini made his way to the breakaway group along the penultimate ascent of the day.
Meanwhile, the rest of the peloton bided their time, with Sagan picking his moment during the last 7 kilometers to launch an attack near the top of the final ascent.
Using his descending skills, it didn’t take Sagan long to bridge the 30-second gap to Albasini and Dillier.
Albasini and Dillier were keen to work with Sagan, but their lead began to diminish quickly during the final kilometer.
A determined Sagan however, wasn’t going to allow himself to be caught, launching another attack in an effort to motivate his breakaway companions.
Albasini laid on the power under the flamme rouge, but a persistent peloton continued to bear down on the leaders, with Lotto-Soudal at the head for Roelandts.
Nevertheless, the peloton was unable to catch the trio, with Albasini being the first rider to open up his sprint.
The ending was quite inevitable, with Sagan sprinting round the outside to take the time bonus and the yellow leader’s jersey.
Tour de Suisse Stage 3 1. Peter Sagan (Svk) Tinkoff, 4-31-17 2. Michael Albasini (Swi) Orica-GreenEdge, st 3. Silvan Dillier (Swi) BMC, st 4. Maximiliano Richeze (Arg) Etixx-Quick Step, at 3s 5. Jurgen Roelandts (Bel) Lotto-Soudal, st 6. Jhonatan Restrepo (Col) Katusha, st 7. Michael Matthews (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge, st 8. Rui Costa (Por) Lampre-Merida, st 9. Simon Geschke (Ger) Giant-Alpecin, st 10. Chris Juul Jensen (Den) Orica-GreenEdge, st
Overall Standings After Stage 3 1. Peter Sagan (Svk) Tinkoff, 9-14-13 2. Jurgen Roelandts (Bel) Lotto-Soudal, at 3s 3. Silvan Dillier (Swi) BMC, st 4. Ion Izagirre (Esp) Movistar, at 13s 5. Tim Wellens (Bel) Lotto-Soudal, at 14s 6. Gokra Izagirre (Esp) Movistar, at 17s 7. Wilco Kelderman (Ned) LottoNL-Jumbo, st 8. Michael Matthews (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge, at 18s 9. Geraint Thomas (GBr) Team Sky, at 19s 10. Simon Geschke (Ger) Giant-Alpecin, at 20s
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