Third consecutive uphill finish at Tour of Switzerland 2024. The sixth stage of the Swiss race, however, was heavily modified by the organizers due to issues related to the weather which makes the Alpine passes unsafe. Only the last 42.5 kilometers will therefore be covered, starting from Ulrichen and I arrive, as planned, at the top of the climb Blatte-Belalp which will be the only altimetric difficulty of the day. In light of this new route, a very short stage is expected and therefore very explosive and difficult to control for the teams of the men in the ranking.
DEPARTURE TIME: 1:00 pm
ARRIVAL TIME (EXPECTED): 3.57pm-4.03pm
LIVE TV AND STREAMING: 2.30pm-5.00pm Eurosport, Discovery+ / 3.00pm-4.15pm Eurosport 1
OFFICIAL HASHTAG: #TourdeSuisse
Tour of Switzerland 2024 Stage Six route
It was supposed to be the queen stage of this edition of the 2024 Tour of Switzerland and instead it will be a very short and unpredictable stage. After leaving from Ulrichen, the first 35 kilometers of this very short fraction will be very fast and slightly downhill, and include the flying finish line in Lax, located at the top of a short climb. What will obviously be decisive for the stage victory and probably also for the general classification will therefore be the final climb, the first category GPM of Blatten-Belalp. This ascent will begin 6 kilometers from the finish line and will have an average gradient of 9%, but with maximum peaks of over 21%. Not a very long climb but quite steep and explosive that could put more than one big guy in difficulty. The last kilometer before the finish line will have an average gradient of 11% and will be the scene of several attacks between the best climbers.
Favorites Sixth Stage Tour of Switzerland 2024
Once again he will be the big favorite of the day Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates). The British climber, by winning today’s stage, proved that he is by far the strongest climber in this race but also the one with the strongest team that can protect and guide him on this very short day. Next to him there will be the second in the general classification, a very brilliant one Joao Almeida who, in addition to working for his captain, is also holding out for his personal ranking. Who knows if the Emirati team decides to leave the Portuguese climber his chances for the stage victory. Third today, but also third in the general classification, an increasingly solid and convincing performance Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers). The Colombian is clearly on the right path to return to being that catch-all champion capable of winning the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia.
The young American is the biggest surprise in these first uphill stages Matthew Riccitello (Israel-Premier Tech). The 22-year-old from Tucson managed to limit the damage at the finish line in Carì and could use all his explosiveness to conquer this stage and continue to amaze the cycling world. Even a climber like Enric Mas (Movistar), currently fourth in the general ranking and in slight but constant growth. The final climb is also suited to the characteristics of light and agile grimpeurs such as Oscar Onley (dsm firmenich-PostNL), Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers) e Sergio Higuita (Bora-hansgrohe), but also to runners who are not real climbers like Isaac Del Toro (UAE Team Emirates) e Pelayo Sanchez (Movistar), who defended themselves admirably on the uphill finish in Carì.
The Dane, on the other hand, is a pure climber Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek), the Belgian Cian Uijtdebroeks (Visma | Lease a Bike), the French Lenny Martinez (Groupama-FDJ), the Austrian Felix Gall (Decathlon Ag2r La World) and the New Zealander George Bennett (Israel-Premier Tech). All five suffered slightly in the last mountain stage, but can use the brevity of this stage to their advantage. The same goes for two very expert climbers like Wilco Kelderman (Visma | Lease a Bike), Wout Poles (Bahrain-Victorious), for the surprising Matteo Badilatti (Q36.5 Pro Cycling) and for a talented young man like William Junior Lecerf (Soudal-QuickStep).
Given the route of only 42.5 kilometres, it is very difficult for a breakaway capable of reaching the finish line to break away. But let’s still expect actions from strong climbers who have now fallen out of the rankings Einer Rubio (Movistar), Kevin Vauquelin (Arkea-B&B Hotels), Valentin Paret-Peintre (Decathlon Ag2r World Championship), Jesus Herrada (Cofidis), but also Chris Hamilton (dsm firmenich-PostNL), Georg Steinhauser (EF Education-EasyPost), Rein Taaramae (Intermarché-Wanty) e Marco Frigo (Israel-Premier Tech).
Bag of the Favorites Sixth Stage Tour of Switzerland 2024
***** Adam Yates
**** Joao Almeida, Egan Bernal
*** Matthew Riccitello, Enric Mas, Oscar Onley
** Mattias Skjelmose, Sergio Higuita, Tom Pidcock, Cian Uijtdebroeks
* Felix Gall, Pelayo Sanchez, Wilco Kelderman, Isaac Del Toro, Wout Poels
Predicted weather for the sixth stage of the Tour of Switzerland 2024
Showers likely. Chance of precipitation: 70%. Humidity: 64%. Wind direction NW up to 18 km/h. Expected temperature: minimum 6°, maximum 14°.
Major pitfalls Sixth Stage Tour of Switzerland 2024
A stage of only 42.5 kilometers is really difficult to control, because it will really be the riders who want to be seen at the head of the group or attempt to attack. The pace will therefore be furious and the final climb will be covered, most likely in the rain, at high speed. A factor that could also put several ranking men in difficulty.
Altimetry and Planimetry Sixth Stage Tour of Switzerland 2024
Timetable Sixth Stage Tour of Switzerland 2024
Tour of Switzerland 2024 Stage 6 Time table
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