Tour de Suisse 2024 – GC Preview

It is fantastic to have another great week of racing coming up. This is a tough race to predict. The start list is packed.

Stage 1

A short prologue in Vaduz. Minor time gaps.

Stage 2

A sprint. Likely a reduced one.

Stage 3

Another hilly day. A 7% sprint. I think a lot of GC riders will look to score some bonus seconds here.

Stage 4

First mountain top finish. A long and un even climb.

Stage 5

Second mountain top finish.

Stage 6

Another mountain top finish. Nufenenpass is a long and gruelling one in the heights. Blatten is a short and steep finish.

Stage 7

A fourth mountain stage in a row. This is brilliant.

Stage 8

A time trial that suits the climbers.

Weather

Expect a bit of everything. It also depends where they ride that day. But a few of them looks rainy.

Contenders

A climber will win. The four stages mountain stages are all equally tough. Therefore consistency and regenaration are very important. It could also be an advantage if you have multiple options. I hope to see a few teams get experimental with satelitte riders, it is a great race to try it in.

Skjelmose – last year’s winner. He beat Evenepoel and Ayuso here in 2023 but I don’t think he will do it this year. I simply think there are better riders here. A podium contender.

Gall – he doesn’t rhyme with consistency but on his best days, few can match him going uphill. A top-5 is possible, especially since there are no downhill finishes or flat time trials.

Carapaz – an angry man. No Olympics for him. I think he will be a very difficult rider to beat. He is consistent when he is in form, and I think we will see him at his very best in the coming weeks.

L. Martinez – a very good climber. Do remember that most of his wins are against a weaker playing field than this. A top-10.

Bernal – I think we will see Bernal fighting for a top-10, potentially a top-5. With C. Rodriguez not having the best race in Dauphine, Egan should aim for a strong result ahead of the Tour de France.

Yates – He starts as the man to beat. Despite a tough start to the season with a concussion. I think we will see co-captain for the Tour de France have a good showing here. He is the favorite.

Almeida – A top-10, potentially a top-5.

Del Toro – A top-10. I think he is the lowest of the three in the foodchain.

Van Gils – How good is? He is an excellent one-day racer. I look forward to see him against this level of competition. A top-10.

Who will win?

I will take a win for Carapaz ahead of Yates and Skjelmose.