Cycling: Rohan Dennis (BMC) won the prologue of the Tour de Suisse. The Australian prevailed in the six-kilometre battle against the clock ahead of his team-mate Stefan Küng (BMC) and Matthias Brändle (Trek-Segafredo). Rohan Dennis also takes over the yellow jersey.
BMC strong - Dennis wins ahead of Küng
As is so often the case, the 81st Tour de Suisse started today with a prologue. The route took the pilots six kilometers through Cham on Lake Zug. At 13:35 the first driver left the starting ramp. However, it was Rohan Dennis (BMC) who set the first real benchmark time. With an average speed of 55,5 km/h, the clock stopped at 6:24. Some well-known time trial specialists tried to undercut this time during the course of the day. Reigning Giro d'Italia winner Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) missed by nine seconds. Just like the Austrian Matthias Brändle (Trek-Segafredo) and Michael Matthews (Sunweb). European Champion Jonatahan Castroviejo (Movistar) missed them by ten seconds. Peter Sagan (Bora-hansgroe) was even 16 seconds slower. Stefan Küng (BMC) was also unable to beat the time of his leading teammate Dennis and finished second, eight seconds behind. So today there was a BMC double victory at the start of the Tour de Suisse.
Well-known field of riders at the Tour de Suisse
Even though Chris Froome (Sky) and Richie Porte (BMC), the two top favorites to win this year's Tour de France, are currently at the start of the Criterium du Dauphiné, spectators can also see many familiar faces at the Tour de Suisse. In Switzerland, for example, Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb), Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana) and Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL-Jumbo) are competing for overall victory. In the sprints we can once again admire Peter Sagan (Bora-hansgrohe) chasing the stages. Olympic champion Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) will be there, as will Michael Matthews (Sunweb) and Tim Wellens (Lotto Soudal). A mass sprint is expected in Cham tomorrow. On Monday, Peter Sagan probably has the best cards in his hand on the uphill home straight. This is followed by four mountain stages before another mass sprint is suspected in Schaffhausen and the final time trial is held.
Result of the 1st stage of the Tour de Suisse & current overall ranking
Tour Locations | Driver | Country | Team | Time |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Rohan Dennis | Australia | BMC | 06:24 |
2. | Stefan Kung | Switzerland | BMC | + 0: 08 |
3. | Matthias Brandle | Austria | Trek-Segafredo | + 0: 09 |
4. | Michael Matthews | Australia | Sunweb | st |
5. | Tom Dumoulin | Netherlands | Sunweb | st |
6. | Jonathan Castroviejo | Spain | Movistar | + 0: 11 |
7. | Lars Boom | Netherlands | LottoNL Jumbo | + 0: 12 |
8. | Ryan Mullen | Ireland | Cannondale Drapac | + 0: 13 |
9. | Steven Lammertink | Netherlands | LottoNL Jumbo | + 0: 14 |
10. | Martin Elmiger | Switzerland | BMC | st |
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