PREVIEW | Tour de Suisse 2023 stage 3 - Evenepoel's first climbing test since Giro d'Italia abandon

Preview. On stage 3 of the Tour de Suisse the race heads into the mountains. The summit finish in Villars-sur-Ollon will be very important in the fight for the overall classification and will set the early situation for the race.

Villars-sur-Ollon has seen the likes of Chris Froome win atop it, and it returns for the 2023 edition. The 143-kilometer day is mostly flat and a lead-up to the final climb, but here the overall classification will be turned on it's head and the contenders for the victory will emerge.

Departure and arrival times (estimated CET):

- June 13 - Stage 3: Tafers - Villars-sur-Ollon, 143.8km. From 1:40 p.m. to 5:20 p.m.

In it's essence, it's a very simple and mostly calm day. Most of the stage is flat, until the Col des Mosses where the riders find 13.5 kilometers at 4.1%. Not the easiest of climbs with some harder gradients, but it won't be a burning effort. It ends with 35.5 kilometers to go and a long descent follows into Aigle where the UCI is based, shortly after to reach the final ascent.

This is one where massive watts are expected. A calm day, constant but steep climb, Villars-sur-Ollon will see fireworks. 10.7 kilometers at 7.8%, it's a constant ascent but one that does feature a few hairpins. Important gaps will be carved in this ascent, and those who need the climbs to make their bid for overall victory absolutely have to attack the race.

The Weather

A tiny breeze from the northwest, it shouldn't have an effect on the day. It's quite possible that there will be some rain which can cause some tension in the one descent of the day, however it should all end up with a regular finale.

The Favourites

Remco Evenepoel - Form, form, form... How will Evenepoel be? The time-trial is little indication to be honest, he is a clear specialist and the route was pan-flat. My question hence remains the same as in the opening day, only after this stage can we judge how well the World Champion is doing. Last year he finished outside the Top10 here and similar could be possible.

UAE Team Emirates - Form is a question for both leaders. Jay Vine has just came off of the Giro d'Italia, where his form widely varied. Hence it's a big question how he'll show himself here, but if he does have good legs this is exactly the kind of day that'll suit him. As for Juan Ayuso he restarted competition only in Romandie, there he looked brilliant in the time-trial but not so good in the climbs. His form will surely have improved since, but as many others he also surely doesn't know exactly where he stands.

Mattias Skjelmose - The sixth place in the opening time-trial was a great display of power from the Dane, I have high expectations of him. Simultaneously I think that the longer climbs are still a meaningful challenge to him, he may crack, but he may also take the win judging by how well he rode in the spring this year.

Sergio Higuita - Higuita has been very inconsistent this year, there's no certainty that he'll be up there tomorrow even if the stage suits him. Last year the Colombian was on fire here, he entered the final time-trial in the yellow jersey and finished second. If he shows the same legs back again he will be a contender for victory.

Bahrain - Victorious - Pello Bilbao and Gino Mäder lead the team coming into the mountain stage, having two options provides the possibility for some tactical play however it's unlikely that they will be in the fight for the win. Nevertheless the podium is quite possible, this is a pure climbing test whilst other finales will see the team more able to use their numbers.

Neilson Powless - Rigoberto Urán could be an option but EF will certainly put their utmost focus on Powless. For the Grand Tours there are no guarantees but here the American will be a big favourite for the GC and judging by his spring a very consistent rider too. It'll be an important ride but I trust he'll be up to the challenge.

The GC fight will truly open up here and it's set to be an explosive stage. The day is very easy on the riders, and the final climb will be very fast. As everyone will be gauging their level I don't expect anyone taking many risks, but many possible podium contenders still lay outside of the names above. Felix Gall, Wilco Kelderman and Romain Bardet are almost certainly names to take into consideration for the tops pots.

Alexey Lutsenko, Ion Izagirre, Ben Tulett and possibly Rui Costa are also among the outsiders for the day. Here others can also be discovered in the fight for the GC, but the main figures are present and will hope for a good day.

Prediction Tour de Suisse 2023 stage 3:

*** Jay Vine, Mattias Skjelmose
** Juan Ayuso, Remco Evenepoel, Neilson Powless
* Pello Bilbao, Sergio Higuita, Gino Mäder, Felix Gall, Wilco Kelderman, Ion Izagirre, Romain Bardet

Pick: Mattias Skjelmose