Tour de Suisse 2014 – Stage 3 Preview
By David Hunter
Stage 2 Recap
It all looked to be going according to plan. The 6 man break, never got a big lead and we rolled towards the finish. Cannondale went to the front, for Sagan, but didn’t bring the break back. This is becoming a worrying trend for the team, no wonder Sagan wants a move. Warbasse was stuck on the front and he led out Deignan and Meyer. It was the Aussie that triumphed, yet more disappointment for the Irishman. We did get some GC action on the final, cat 2 climb, with Kreuziger, Henao and Pinot all active. Their attacking didn’t create any sizeable gaps.
Stage 3 Sarnen – Heiden 202.9km
Another chance for Sagan.
It’s another lumpy day in the saddle and we have an uphill finish. The 1st climb is very long but not too steep, it’s 14.3km at 3.7%. All will get over this!
The 2nd climb is 4.9k at 5.9%, this is more difficult and comes after a tough uncategorised climb. The final categorised climb of the day is hard to get a measure for. The official road book doesn’t help, it gives the climb as not steep at all. From the picture it looks around 3km at 5%, but I can’t be certain.
The end of the stage is very interesting, with the final 3.4km at 5.6%. The finishing line is the easiest part of the climb, at 4%. This makes it too difficult for many of the sprinters, but opens the door to other riders.
Tony Martin is still in yellow and he’ll fancy wearing it until the end of stage 8. OPQS also have the added incentive of trying to place Boonen in a good place for the finish. An in-form Boonen is more than capable of coping with the climbs and the finish. He comes fresh from 2 stage wins in the Tour of Belgium and arrives with Gert Steegmans in great form.
The justified favourite is Peter Sagan. This finish seems perfect for him and he’ll want to make up for stage 2. He loves these finishes and won stage 3 in Tirreno, which finished with a short, steep climb.
3rd that day in Tirreno, was Simon Clarke. I’m not sure if he’ll get the nod from Orica, or if they’ll go with Nino Schurter. The mountain bike King, will love this finish.
John Degenkolb has developed into a rider that can win from any situation. The finish, will not scare him and he can shift it! I expect a big race from him.
Ben Swift should also be there, competing for the win. Swift, Degenkolb and Sagan are the only sprinters capable of challenging for the victory. Now for the climbers!
Albasini, Slagter, Henao, Rui Costa, Breschel, Kolobnev and Mollema will all be licking their lips at this finish. They will want the climb done as quickly as possible to hurt the sprinters.
Orica are the team that are spoilt for choice, with Albasini, Clarke and Schurter. Who will they ride for?
Prediction time…
Everything screams at me Sagan, but I like the look of Degenkolb. This is a really difficult one to call!
I go Sagan.
David Hunter
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It is the kind of verad favored terrain for Sagan, the winner is always in this type of step.
I think we will see him shining Mannas truth, it is the kind of step that always
I’d like to see Henao winning this stage, he had a difficult year so far and he keeps growing every year. Let’s hope he finds his own rhythm and keep going.