Cycling: Rohan Dennis (Bahrain – Merida) won the start of the Tour de Suisse. However, the Australian won the time trial only a hair's breadth ahead of Maciej Bodnar (Bora – hansgrohe) from Poland and Michael Matthews (Sunweb) from Australia. The time trial world champion thus celebrates his first victory in the rainbow jersey.
Rohan Dennis lives up to his role as favorite
The Tour de Suisse started today in Langnau im Emmental with an individual time trial. As expected, the top favorite was able to hold his ground on the flat and almost curve-free 9,5-kilometer course Rohan Dennis (Bahrain – Merida) prevail. With a time of 10:50 minutes he left Maciej Bodnar (Bora – hansgrohe) behind by less than a second. Follow in the places behind Michael Matthews (Sunweb), Soren Kragh Andersen (Sunweb) and Kasper Asgreen (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) also with short distances. The Swiss Stefan Kung (Groupama – FDJ) was ninth). Due to the rain that later became heavier, nobody was able to attack the best times in the end. This means that Rohan Dennis will start tomorrow's second stage as the overall leader.
Violent mountain stages await the riders
The Tour de Suisse 2019 ends on Sunday in Ulrichen. Stages #6 to #9 will be decisive for the overall standings. Especially that one Flumserberg on Thursday and the Gotthard pass on Friday should cause excitement. Particularly Steve Morabito (Groupama – FDJ) would like to cut a good figure. The 36-year-old Swiss is contesting his last Tour de Suisse and at the same time his last race in the Swiss championship jersey. At the end of the season he will end his cycling career.
Steve Morabito:
“I'm approaching the Tour de Suisse with composure. The key word this week is joy. I want to enjoy every moment.”
???????? #tourdesuisse
⏱️ ITT
🌈 World Champion @RohanDennis is waiting in the hot seat... pic.twitter.com/HeWOJs6J3k
- Team Bahrain Merida (@Bahrain_Merida) June 15, 2019