Cycling: Michael Matthews (Sunweb) clinched his first win of the season today at the Tour de Romandie. The Australian surprisingly won the prologue in front of the Swiss Tom Bohli (BMC).
Tour de Romandie 2018: Not an easy start
The Tour de Romandie rolled off the starting ramp in Friborg today with a prologue just 4,02 kilometers long. From the Place Notre-Dame the drivers raced to the Place Georges-Python. Marco Minnaard (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) started the race at 15:13 p.m., which was not going to be easy despite the low number of kilometers. True to the motto "Brevity is the soul of wit" the prologue was not suitable for a leisurely roll-up. The first part of the time trial was more technical with several tight corners, while at the end there was a climb of up to 12 percent.
Matthews with surprising victory
Actually wanted to Matthias Brandle (Trek-Segafredo) also had a say about the win today, but unfortunately it didn't come to that. The Austrian fell while warming up and was unable to compete in the Tour de Romandie. The Swiss brought the first notable benchmark time Tom Bohli (BMC) on the asphalt. Driver after driver struggled to find the top time before with Michael Matthews (Sunweb) very late but someone was faster. The Dutchman undercut the time by one second and was able to celebrate the day's victory in the end. Because the classification drivers did not reach his best time either. Presented itself the strongest Primois Roglic (LottoNL-Jumbo), who lost just one second in third place. Geraint Thomas (Sky) lost five, Richie porte (BMC) even 14 seconds behind the winner of the day.
Tour de Romandie 2018: The decision will be made on Friday & Saturday
The first day of the Tour de Romandie only resulted in small gaps in the overall standings. After today's prologue at the start, five varied stages will follow in the coming days, which will shake up the classification. The mountain time trial on Friday and the mountain stage on Saturday will be particularly interesting for the overall standings. Last year's winner Richie porte (BMC) will then deal with, among other things Primois Roglic (LottoNL-Jumbo) and Geraint Thomas (Sky) need to measure. Also on the young one Egan Bernal (Sky) and the Germans Emmanuel Buchman (Bora-hansgrohe) we can be curious. The Tour de Romandie may end with a mass sprint in Geneva on Sunday. If he gets over the mountains well, that's true Elia Viviani (Quick-Step Floors) as a hot candidate for victory on the final stage - and of course since today at the latest Michael Matthews.
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