Peter Sagan wins Tour de Suisse Stage 5 in devastating early sprint
Peter Sagan (Bora-hansgrohe) launched from afar and surprised everyone to take his 14th stage at the iconic Swiss stage race
In spite of a good break that took time to get established, the peloton knew it had to come back for a bunch sprint on the fifth stage of the Tour of Switzerland.
It was a massive sprint that took place in Cevio. Peter Sagan (Bora-hansgrohe) launched from afar and surprised everyone. Michael Albasini (Orica-Scott) had to settle for second place ahead of Matteo Trentin (Quick-Step Floors).
Peter Sagan delivered a 14th stage victory in the Tour de Suisse and allowed himself a small dance crossing the line, his first win in Bora-hansgrohe colors this season and breaks a dry spell for the World Champion.
The day's break consisted of Kamyshev (AST), King (DDD), Wallays (LTS), Bewley (QRS), Nordhaug (ABS), Asselman (RNL).
With 10 kms to go and the climb of the HC category Simplon pass at 2,005 metres high it was down to Ben King and Jasper Asselman who had 30 secs with 10kms to go.
The bunch led by BMC Racing and BORA-Hansgrohe, finally reeled them in and geared up for a bunch sprint with 5 kms to go.
Sagan launched a devastating early sprint to stay at the front and just kept going displaying amazing form ahead of this year's Tour de France.
Team mates from BORA-Hansgrohe did an amazing job to bring the world champion to the front of the peleoton who certainly delivered to goods right on time.
“Sagan is really impressive” said Bahrain-Merida's Bonifazio speaking just after the finish “In the sprint I was in his wheel, but he started early, accelerating at around 350 m to go. I waited a little bit because it seemed to me too early, instead it was the right wheel to take. I’m happy anyway because it was a hard stage with the Simplon pass in the middle of the race.The peloton went very fast and no one of the sprinters dropped down. Let’s see if I can have another chance later this week”.
Damiano Caruso (BMC Racing) remains the leader.
Tomorrow's Stage 6 on Thursday June 15 from Locarno to La Punt is 167 km Mountain Stage with a mountain top finish just after cresting the inconic and legendary Swiss climb of the Ablulapass.
Don't miss it, as the stage could see some serious GC action on it's slopes!
2017 Tour de Suisse Stage 5 Top Ten Results
1. Peter Sagan (Bora-hansgrohe) les
2. Michael Albasini (Orica-Scott) m.t.
3. Matteo Trentin (Quick-Step Floors) m.t.
4. Patrick Bevin (Cannondale-Drapac) m.t.
5. Niccolo Bonifazio (Bahrain-Merida) m.t.
6. Michael Matthews (Team Sunweb) m.t.
7. Sacha Modolo (UAE Team Emirates) m.t.
8. Oscar Gatto (Astana) m.t.
9. Aaron Gate (Aqua Blue Sport) m.t.
10. Owain Doull (Team Sky) m.t.
2017 Tour de Suisse GC after Stage 5
1. Damiano Caruso (BMC Racing)
2. Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL-Jumbo) à 16″
3. Domenico Pozzovivo (Ag2r La Mondiale) à 25″
4. Simon Spilak (Katusha-Alpecin) m.t.
5. Marc Soler (Movistar) à 32″
6. Mathias Frank (Ag2r La Mondiale) à 34″
7. Mikel Nieve (Team Sky) à 1’10
8. Rui Costa (UAE Team Emirates) à 1’11
9. Valerio Conti (UAE Team Emirates) à 1’21
10. Tao Geoghegan Hart (Team Sky) à 1’38