Cycling: Peter Sagan (Bora-hansgrohe) and Switzerland? That just fits! The world champion from Slovakia celebrated for the 16th time today at the Tour de Suisse. He won stage two of the week-long Tour ahead of rising top sprinter Fernando Gaviria (Quick-Step Floors). Stefan Küng (BMC) defended the yellow jersey in a hectic final phase.
Küng extends his lead
On the second day of the Tour de Suisse, the riders started again in Frauenfeld. Since only a 39-kilometer circuit had to be completed four times, the stage was supposed to end in that very place. On the wavy section, the numerous spectators at the edge of the track saw first three and then four breakaways. Perrig Quemeneur (direct energy), Calvin Watson (Aqua Blue Sport) and Filippo Zaccanti (Nippo Vini Fantini) formed a top trio before - much to the delight of the Swiss - Michael Albasini (Mitchelton-Scott) jumped out of the peloton to the leading group with a real show of strength. But of course this did not go unnoticed by the competing teams. The BMC team in particular ensured that everything came together again just 30 kilometers from the finish line. The leader promptly secured himself Stefan Kung (BMC) a sprint score which increased his lead in the overall standings by three seconds.
Surprising attacks by Porte and Landa
For a long time, the riders were traveling at a very slow average speed on the second stage of the Tour de Suisse. But after catching up with the leading group, the pace naturally didn't want to slow down. The German Bora-hansgrohe team in particular was motivated to try something in the almost two-kilometer long climb with an average gradient of eight percent. For captain Peter Sagan should make life difficult for pure sprinters. When things calmed down on the crest, it took surprising advantage Richie porte (BMC) the opportunity to attack. Among others followed him Dominic Pozzo alive (Bahrain Merida) and Mikel Landa (Movistar), but shortly afterwards they were caught again by the peloton. A very strange action by those involved, but maybe they just wanted to test the attention of the competitors.
Peter Sagan celebrates his 16th Tour de Suisse
Due to Bora-hansgrohe's speed work and the surprising attacks of some classified riders, quite a few professionals lost touch with the peloton. A few helpers were also left behind, which made a controlled main field almost impossible. Numerous attacks ensured that the last 20 kilometers were extremely entertaining for the spectators, but hectic for the drivers themselves. At times even tense Stefan Kung right at the front in order to be able to successfully defend his yellow jersey. He succeeded, although a late attack on his part failed shortly before the goal. It came to the sprint of a decimated peloton, which Fernando Gaviria (Quick-Step Floors) once again got prepared by his well-working teammates. But the Colombian put his nose into the wind too early and Peter Sagan (Bora-hansgrohe) was able to suck in perfectly and still push past. Madness: That was Peter Sagan's 16th victory in the Tour de Suisse.
(I.e.@petosagan of 🇬🇧@BORAhansgrohe wins stage 2 of 🇨🇭@tds #tds #tourdesuisse (📺@Eurosport_NL) pic.twitter.com/gfJGjMRrgF
— World Cycling Stats (@wcstats) June 10, 2018
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