25/04/2023

Josef Černý takes prologue victory and overall lead at the Tour de Romandie

Josef Cerny has taken victory in the opening prologue of the 2023 Tour de Romandie and with the overall lead of the race.

The Tour de Romandie started off with a short prologue in the town of Port-Valais of just under seven kilometres. Without big differences expected, the GC riders still battled it out and alongside the time-trial specialists, provides a fight for the first lead of the race.

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With Nico Denz setting the fastest time relatively early on with an effort of 7.29, the BORA - hansgrohe rider could have finished even quicker had his chain not come off in the 100ms or so.

20-year-old Juan Ayuso, in his first competitive ride since finishing on the podium at last year's Vuelta a Espana impressed, coming home in 7.37.

Former World Champion Rui Costa had a nightmare start as his chain ring seemingly snapped as he attempted to push off from the start ramp. With no spare time-trial bike, Costa was forced to gingerly try again on a traditional road bike.

After a long time in the hot seat, Denz was finally dethroned by Soudal - Quick-Step's former three-time Czech Republic national time-trial champion, Josef Černý's time of 7.25.

INEOS Grenadiers Ethan Hayter came close to threatening Cerny's leading time but was edged out by just five seconds with his time of 7.30.

Josef Cerny's teammate Remi Cavagna then came within a second of taking the lead before the current time-trial world champion Tobias Foss missed out by just 0.29 seconds.