Juan Ayuso beats Evenepoel to time-trial win at Tour de Suisse, but Mattias Skjelmose flies towards overall win

Cycling
Sunday, 18 June 2023 at 17:03
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Juan Ayuso put on a blistering time-trial at the Tour de Suisse to win the final stage however it was not enough to win the overall classification. Mattias Skjelmose defended his lead in the overall classification and has taken the title.
The day was crucial for the outcome of the overall classification, however a stage win was up for grabs too. The 25-kilometer route provided opportunity for many to succeed, featuring a hilly finale where the times could be turned on their head.
The early starts provided immensely strong times, the very high level saw Stefan Bissegger managing to up Wout van Aert on this tough ride by 5 seconds, with Kasper Asgreen 13 seconds behind and Mattia Cattaneo 16.
These times proved to be a challenge when the GC riders began their effort, Remco Evenepoel was the fastest over the first intermediate but with the same times as Asgreen. Juan Ayuso lost 5 seconds whilst Mattias Skjelmose losing 24, seemingly pointing towards a battle between the World champion and the Spaniard.
Sure enough Evenepoel soared through the second intermediate improving the time of Bissegger by 16 seconds. However the GC dream quickly evaporated most likely, as Juan Ayuso absolutely flew up the climb and not only closed the gap to Evenepoel, he crossed the point 5 seconds ahead. Mattias Skjelmose however was even quicker in the final section, losing only 10 seconds to Ayuso then, leaving the GC wide open into the finale.
At the finish Evenepoel took over the stage lead but there was no beating Juan Ayuso on the day, the UAE Team Emirates rider took over 7 seconds on the Belgian at the finish line. But Mattias Skjelmose defended himself better than anyone could've foreseen after the first intermediate, he lost only 9 seconds to the Spaniard and held on to win the overall classification.

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