Cycling: The third stage of the Tour de Suisse offered pleasant temperatures, but also long edges. The field had to cover 200 kilometers on the way from Sarnen to Heiden. Peter Sagan (Cannondale) managed this best, for whom the stage profile was tailor-made.
Immediately after the start it was Julian Kern (Ag2R-La Mondiale) who tried to escape. However, the attempt ended a few kilometers later in a counterattack by Martin Kohler (BMC) and Steven Kruijswijk (Belkin). Both managed to break away to more than five minutes. They settled the first climbs of the day among themselves, while Björn Thurau (Europcar) behind them secured the remaining points and thus another day in the special jersey.
After 130 kilometers, the attack by the escape duo was history. On the ascent to the Wasserfluh, it was shortly afterwards the reigning XC World Champion Nino Schurter, who contests the tour in Orica-GreenEdge gear, who increased the pace. He was succeeded by Laurent Didier (Trek). Later, Thurau and Danilo Wyss (BMC) also caught up with both.
In the final, however, Thurau lifted his legs. In his place, Valerio Agnoli (Astana) and Tosh van der Sande (Lotto Belisol) managed to catch up to the top. The quintet then extended their lead to one minute before Garmin-Sharp organized the follow-up work in the field.
On the penultimate climb before the finish, it was Agnoli who attacked his fellow competitors. However, they could follow him. This was different in the case of Van der Sandes. Agnoli fell in pursuit of the Belgian. Schurter was sent off the field shortly after. Van der Sande, on the other hand, defended his narrow lead of almost 20 seconds up to the finish line, where he fell victim to Omega Pharma-QuickStep's pace dictates.
The Belgian team set the pace for overall leader Tony Martin, who was able to defend his yellow jersey in the end. In the fight for the day's victory, however, he had nothing to report. At the steep target ramp it was initially Cadel Evans (BMC) who opened the fight. Sagan followed on his rear wheel, jumping on the rear wheel of Michael Albasini (Orica-GreenEdge) in the penultimate corner. The Swiss finally showed himself to be a gentleman, giving Sagan enough space in the very tight last corner and not sending him into the gang. Friendliness eventually earned him second place. Behind was Sergio Henao (Sky) third. Fourth place went to world champion Rui Costa (Lampre-Merida), fifth place went to Evans.
Tour de Suisse – result
Tour de Suisse – overall