Jakob Fuglsang: "I’m super happy with the result anyway"

Jakob Fuglsang managed to finish third on stage 5 of the Tour de Suisse, launching a solo attack in the final four kilometers before crossing the line behind stage winner Aleksandr Vlasov and Neilson Powless.

“It was a great day today and the boys were super strong. Already coming into the race, we had this stage in mind knowing it would be a difficult one and it could be a decisive one because of the nature of the stage. From this morning, we decided that we would take the decision on the road in terms of how we would approach it". Sure enough, with several riders struggling, Israel - Premier Tech came to the front of the race to make it harder in favour of the 37-year old.

"With 30 kilometers to go, Krists Neilands came to me and said ‘I’m feeling good so if you want us to ride, just let me know’. In the end, that was perfect for me to try something. Daryl [Impey], Krists and Hugo [Houle] did a super good job making it hard and making the perfect pace on the last few climbs, at the beginning of the last lap," he explained.

Sure enough in the penultimate climb Fuglsang put on an attack. It didn't initially succeed, but his second move saw a small group later bridge across to him and fighting for the stage win. "...I didn’t manage to get to the finish line alone but still, I am happy that I managed to put Bora and Ineos a bit under pressure even though they were the guys with more riders in the final group,” said Fuglsang.

Despite missing out on the stage victory when his solo attack was neutralised just inside the last two kilometers, Fuglsang feels motivated by his performance ahead of the next two road stages. He sits second in the GC only behind stage winner Aleksandr Vlasov.

“All in all, I would have loved to win the stage but I’m super happy with the result anyway. It is maybe also good that we don’t have the yellow jersey to defend in the next two days. We will see, the next days will be the decisive ones and the ones where you can lose everything so it’s about staying focused and keeping up the good work,” he concluded.