Cycling: After an outstanding performance, Simon Spilak (Katusha-Alpecin) secured victory on the seventh stage of the Tour de Suisse and thus also the yellow jersey. The Slovenian benefited from an impressive display from teammate Rein Taaramae. Second was Jon Izagirre (Bahrain-Merida) ahead of Joe Dombrowski (Cannondale-Drapac). In the overall standings, Simon Spilak is now 52 seconds ahead of Damiano Caruso (BMC). The overall victory of the Tour de Suisse 2017 should not be taken away from him.
18 breakaways without a chance
Today should be a crucial day in the Tour de Suisse. The route from Zernez to Sölden took the riders 166,3 kilometers up to the Tiefenbachferner, which is almost 2.800 meters high. The final climb was supposed to be the only obstacle of the stage, but this one was tough. Because the upper part of the glacier road is steep and should ensure large distances. 18 riders were able to escape early, but due to CCC's high pace, they never really had a real chance of winning the day. Tim Wellens (Lotto Soudal) was the last breakaway, caught at the start of the final climb.
Domenico Pozzovivo breaks in
Arriving on the final climb, Enrico Gasparotto (Bahrain-Merida) initially ensured a very high pace in the peloton. Then Rein Taarame took over. Not many drivers should be able to keep up with his pace today. Gradually, the remaining climbers and class riders flew back. It also caught the Swiss Mathias Frank (Ag2r) and the Austrian Patrick Konrad (Bora-hansgrohe). Also Domenico Pozzovivo (Ag2r), who was able to secure the stage win and the overall lead yesterday, collapsed completely. In the end he lost over two minutes to the eventual stage winner. Damiano Caruso (BMC) and Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL-Jumbo) also had problems.
Rein Taaramae leads Simon Spilak to victory
In the steepest part of the final climb, only three riders were together at the front: Rein Taaramae, his teammate Simon Spilak and Joe Dombrowski (Cannondale-Drapac). Taaramae blew up the entire group of favorites and seemed to fly today. When he swerved, his captain Spilak launched the decisive attack. Dombrowski was left standing and Spilak built up a big lead. Jon Izagirre (Bahrain-Merida) was left behind, but fought his way back to the leader meter by meter. He overtook Dombrowski, but Spilak was unstoppable today. In the end, the Slovenian triumphed with a lead of 22 seconds over Izagirre and 36 seconds over Dombrowski. The Tour de Suisse victory now seems to go only through Simon Spilak.
Result of the 7rd stage of the Tour de Suisse
PLATZ | Driver | Country | Team | Time |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Simon Spilak | Slovenia | Katusha Alpecin | 3:58:36 |
2. | Jon Izagirre | Spain | Bahrain-Merida | + 0: 22 |
3. | Joe Dombrowski | USA | Cannondale Drapac | + 0: 36 |
4. | Damian Caruso | Italy | BMC | + 1: 04 |
5. | Steven Kruijswijk | Netherlands | LottoNL Jumbo | st |
6. | Jan Hirt | Czechia | CCC | + 1: 07 |
7. | Queen Taaramae | Estonia | Katusha Alpecin | + 1: 33 |
8. | Mikel Nieve | Spain | Sky | + 1: 47 |
9. | Rui Costa | Portugal | UAE | + 1: 53 |
10. | bilbao hair | Spain | Astana | + 2: 40 |
Overall rating after 7 of 9 stages
PLATZ | Driver | Country | Team | Time |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Simon Spilak | Slovenia | Katusha Alpecin | 26:02:16 |
2. | Damian Caruso | Italy | BMC | + 0: 52 |
3. | Steven Kruijswijk | Netherlands | LottoNL Jumbo | + 1: 05 |
4. | Dominic Pozzo alive | Italy | Ag2r | + 2: 28 |
5. | Rui Costa | Portugal | UAE | + 2: 35 |
6. | Matthew Frank | Switzerland | Ag2r | + 2: 51 |
7. | Mikel Nieve | Spain | Sky | + 2: 54 |
8. | Jon Izagirre | Spain | Bahrain-Merida | + 3: 51 |
9. | Marc Soler | Spain | Movistar | + 4: 07 |
10. | bilbao hair | Spain | Astana | + 4: 10 |