Stefan Kung won the opening time-trial of the race with the Swiss riders absolutely dominating it, with Kung beating Bissegger and Mattia Cattaneo for the podium in a route marked by wet roads.
Positive: Kung taking a big win, much needed after the dificult TT's in Romandie that saw him underperform quite a bit. Alaphilippe, Carapaz with great performances putting themselves already very well in the GC, Dumoulin also with a solid performance on his return.
Negative: Dennis and SK.Andersen quite disapointingly barely hanging on in the Top10. Soler, Woods, Poels and Chaves lost too much time for such a small route.
The Route
The first road stage and it comes in the way the Tour de Suisse likes the most, by throwing in a sketchy stage fit for puncheurs. What we've got in menu is a day with 2400 meters of climbing with most of it in the second half. The first one is quite flat, but as the riders go through the 100 kilometer mark they will start finding some climbs.
Ghöch with 62 kilometers to go, Oberricken comes with just 50 kilometers to go and if the climber teams are looking to shred the punchu sprinters this is where they have to put in a real dig, and hurt them in what is a more constant effort.
There is a little sharp point coming near Lachen with 16.5Km to go that will heat things up, but the climb to Steineggstrasse is where differences can be made. Not between the GC riders, but there will be a separation between those who can and can't climb properly. It's a tough ascent, short but it's a small ring effort for some minutes that will be really complicated. Summiting with just 7.5Km to go it will see attacks from those looking for a win, it'll precede a short fast decent and a flat run-in to the finish.
Which is flat, non-technical. At least the sprinters that make it through won't have a big challenge to fight for positioning.
The Weather
There will be a breeze from the northeast which means an overall tailwind throughout the day, more of a headwind over the final climb though, but what can make the difference is the rain that will be felt throughout the whole day according to the forecast, there is the chance it will get really strong towards the end, if it does it can really create havoc in the peloton, both up and downhill.
The Favourites
Looking at the startlist makes me really see a scenario that's overwhelmingly likely to be the one deciding the stage, as the rain will make the day harder and the finale even harder to control, for sure the attack on the final climb can succeed, aswell as those right after the descent that can be really hard to bring back. And with the big names on the road this week it sounds so easy for it, I think the crucial detail in the finale of the stage will be Deceuninck who have had Julian Alaphilippe perform brilliantly today, and I think tomorrow he wants to go for the lead of the race, and he very well can, specifically if he attacks. The finale is very good for him, but the thing is it's not only very good for him, but also many other of the world-class puncheurs that will be alongside him.
For a starter you have Mathieu van der Poel on the startline, the climb isn't exactly perfect for him but his mean sprint puts him at the same level as everyone else here, and he will be looking to quickly get a big win specially when he's facing the riders who have/will challenge him in the Ardennes, and in the opening stages of the Tour. You have Max Schachmann who rode really well today and will also be looking towards the GC, having here a finale that suits him very well, you have home rider Marc Hirschi who slowly got back into form in the spring and at this point should be back to his best legs, there's Benoit Cosnefroy who's also seen his spring ruined by ilness but has recently in Finisterre gotten his first win of the season, and will be looking for another one.
Additionally you have the climber-puncheur type of rider who will also love a climb like this, in this category I will include very big names like Michael Woods and Jakob Fuglsang who may have better suiting stages however have a good opportunity to perhaps take some time on the GC fight, and will surely be looking for alliances, they don't have the sprint to take a win if they're in a group but they can benefit a lot from an offensive race. You have riders like Marc Soler, Tiesj Benoot who can do really well in the rain and can for sure be in the big moves if they have the legs, also riders like Omar Fraile and Andreas Kron can benefit from a hard race, but a small bunch sprint in the end.
There will however be a big motivation to see a bunch sprint. Unfortunately, the spearhead of this list is Michael Matthews who is the big favourite to win that sprint but that will likely be for minor places, that's the normal trend. Matthews can seriously climb though, and if everything sticks together or he gets in the right move he can very well win it, and he may have help from some teams like Cofidis who have Christophe Laporte, and maybe (just maybe) if the race is taken more easily, riders like Mike Teunissen and Ryan Gibbons can definitely get through and can possibly sneak in and contest the sprint.
Inside the Bus
This morning we talk to...
#112 Esteban Chaves - Esteban today we all work around Michael. You did great some days ago in Argau but I was disapointed today, I wasnt expecting a big performance but it was a bad time-trial you know that. Lucas is the main weapon towards the GC now, you will have your chance but today the priority is to stay in front, attacks will come there's nothing we can do about it, but stay with Michael, give your 100% on the final ascent to finish it as close to the front as possible, there will be splits in the peloton and if Michael can he should sprint over the top. If possible, try to reel things back after the climb.
#161 John Degenkolb - There will be other stages John, as much as I would like to bring you up to a big level today it's just too hard. Two big days for you are coming, tomorrow stick to the back, drop back on the second to last climb and roll in with the groupetto, don't risk crashes or unnecessary energy spendings.
#223 Claudio Imhof - Racing for the national team means no responsabilities Claudio, first road stage so all of you have to try and get in that break, there's a KOM jersey up for grabs, as combativity award, intermediate sprints, we have to take them all, the start is flat so there's essentially no strategy, use your head and force it as much as you can!
Prediction Time
⭐ Woods, Fuglsang, Fraile, Kron, Laporte, Gibbons, Soler, Carapaz, Vansevenant, Benoot
I think Julian Alaphilippe will definitely be thinking of attacking the race and moving into the lead. The climb is steep from the start, it's not favourable to big powerhouse riders like van der Poel as much as the lightweight men, Alaphilippe does well in the rain, will have a very sketchy descent afterwards and also packs a strong sprint, he's my card for tomorrow!
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