26/04/2023

PREVIEW | Tour de Romandie 2023 stage 1

Preview. From the 25th to 30th April 2023 the peloton will tackle the Swiss roads at the Tour de Romandie, on the French-speaking portion of the central European nation. It is a race that features opportunities for the time-trialists, sprinters, puncheurs and climbers, positioned between the spring classics and the Giro d'Italia.

Stage one from Crissier to Vallée de Joux will see the riders tackle a rather hilly day, however one that's suited to the sprinters. It features three categorized climbs and no descent following the last, however it should be too far for any team to fully commit to preventing a bunch sprint.

Estimated start and finish times for Tour de Romandie stage 1: 13:20 - 17:30CET

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

PREVIEW | Tour de Romandie 2023 stage 1 — Stage 1: Crissier - Vallée de Joux, 169.4 kilometers

It isn't an usual profile. The first half of the day features quite a tough ascent, that's split into two different categorized climbs. One is 4.5 kilometers long at 8%, and after a very small flat section the second part features 5.3 kilometers at 7.3%. The summit comes with just under 100 kilometers to go so there shouldn't be attacks, however it'll make it difficult to make for an organized chase.

Following a plateau and decent descent the riders head into another ascent which ends with 46.5 kilometers to go, it's 4.5 kilometers at around 6% average gradient. Again not a tough climb, but enough to put some fast men under difficulties if the pace is pushed. There is barely no descent afterwards, and the finale will take place al altitude in the Vallée de Joux.

The sprint finale, if it is to happen, should be normal however. The final corner comes with 2.3 kilometers to go which will string the peloton quite a bit, but from there on there are only a few slight changes of direction. The final kilometer is quite simple and flat, it should lead to a normal sprint.