PREVIEW | Tour de Suisse 2023 stage 1 - Time-trial battle with Evenepoel, van Aert, Küng, Bissegger and Sheffield to attribute first yellow jersey

Preview. The Tour de Suisse begins in Einsiedeln this year and stage 1 will be a time-trial which will set the early differences for the overall classification, as well as elect the first yellow jersey.

The Tour de Suisse starts off with a short time-trial with 12.7 kilometers in distance. It'll open up the overall classification, as well as providing a big opportunity for the specialists and an early opportunity to grab the race lead.

Departure and arrival times (estimated CET):

- June 11 - Stage 1: Einsiedeln - Einsiedeln, 12.7km. From 2:25 p.m. to 5:20 p.m.

There isn't much to analyze from this day, it's a rather simple route fit for the powerhouse riders (the small gradients in the profile above feature an error at the start due to GPS data). 12 kilometers which are mostly without any corner that needs breaking, the final 3 kilometers do feature a few gradients which could see the riders saving up a bit, as the stage may be decided by mere seconds.

The Weather

Very small but there are chances that it will rain a bit early in the afternoon, this could end up benefiting some riders over others in the day. There will be a northeastern breeze but taking into consideration the map of the stage it can't be said that it'll make any meaningful difference.

The Favourites

Remco Evenepoel - Evenepoel's speed on flat time-trials has improved so much that it's terrifying. A lightweight rider, the aero ability he had on the road bike now finally transferred to the TT bike and at the Giro he showed that, destroying the field on the opening day and then despite having Covid winning the second TT. I have questions about his form, which won't be answered here, but despite having modest form he won the TT here last year so either ways he should be a big favourite.

Wout van Aert - Van Aert has only race one time-trial this year and he didn't go all-out - Tirreno-Adriatico opening day. He has also gotten a new TT position worked very recently which he has not used in competition. On paper it's safe to say that until recently van Aert has put 0 focus on this discipline as he focused elsewhere, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him a bit out of place. However it's WVA we're talking about, even in bad form he'd be in contention, the pure power he's got will compensate against much of the competition he'll face.

Stefan Küng - Kung has maintained his level throughout the spring, thriving in the cobbled classics but keeping his speed against the clock. Victorious in the Algarve, but 4th and 5th in all other TT's respectively. At the Giro he looked good but no longer faster than the stage-racers even on flat roads. This puts him in a tricky position, but the gaps should be small and he could end up in the lead.

Stefan Bissegger - The truth is Bissegger has not yet fought for a stage win in a time-trial this year, surprisingly. He has the engine, and in his home country should be motivated, it's a good route for the European champion however it's difficult to envision him winning taking into consideration alone the first half of his season.

The fight for the stage win should be there however there is still incredible quality outside of those four rides. The likes of Magnus Sheffield, Rohan Dennis and Kasper Asgreen are on their best day very close to the very best against the clock, and both could benefit from any change of gradient.

Matteo Sobrero, Ben Tulett and Mattia Cattaneo are also expected to be up there in the fast course whilst the GC fight will begin to be played, Evenepoel is the card to take into consideration the most but you can expect strong riders from the likes of Juan Ayuso, Neilson Powless and Jay Vine.

Prediction Tour de Suisse 2023 stage 1:

*** Remco Evenepoel, Stefan Küng
** Wout van Aert, Magnus Sheffield, Stefan Bissegger
* Rohan Dennis, Kasper Asgreen, Matteo Sobrero, Ben Tulett, Juan Ayuso, Neilson Powless

Pick: Remco Evenepoel