PREVIEW | Tour de Suisse 2023 stage 5 - Yellow jersey battle continues among Evenepoel, Skjelmose and Gall

Preview. Perhaps the queen stage of the race, stage 5 of the Tour de Suisse will be a proper Alpine day, filled with tough ascents, high altitude and a downhill finish which is well known to the riders.

The final mountain stage. It's the third consecutive tough day in the race and possibly a decisive one. Three passes, but the attacks will come late on. The Albulapass' summit is over 2000 meters in altitude and it's a proper long and steep climb. At the end of a whole 211 kilometers the finale into La Punt should decide a lot in the race.

Departure and arrival times (estimated CET):

- June 15 - Stage 5: Fiesch - La Punt, 211km. From 10:43 a.m. to 4:35 p.m.

It's a real high-mountain day, although two of it's climbs are in the opening third of the stage. Nevertheless, at any point the Furkapass will cause damage, having it's summit at over 2400 meters of altitude with 16.5 kilometers at 6.4%.

The descent will then lead the riders into the Oberalpass which is 10.7 kilometers at 5.6%. It will set up some more fatigue, to be honest it won't likely have much of an impact on the racing itself throughout the day. The riders descent into a long valley run and then gradually build up towards the decisive climb of the day.

Another long one. This is a different finale to those of previous days, the Albulapass ends with just 9.5 kilometers to go before a straight finish into La Punt. The gaps at the top are most likely those at the finish line after a very fast descent.

The climb itself is 18.5 kilometers at 6.6%, it features two sections where the gradients are at a regular 9/10% in it's first half. It then gets more constant in it's final kilometers but at around 7% gaps can always be created. It's a difficult one, the altitude will be key as well with over 2300 meters at the summit, it's a matter of pacing and managing it very well.

The Weather

The wind will come from the north, covered in the Albulapass, however if it is felt it comes as a crosswind. Not directly preventing attacks on the final climb, however it can make for difficulties attacking if the gusts of wind become strong - which is not assured, I point out.

The Favourites

Felix Gall - Gall's job is mostly done. Unfortunately for him, the losses he sustained in the TT on the opening day mean that despite his great form the GC win is unlikely. He'll have a defensive role here I would imagine, however if he has the same legs he should surely attack. I don't know if he can handle these long ascents as well, but his win today and the inevitable strong GC mean there won't be too much pressure.

Mattias Skjelmose - Skjelmose put in a very tactical and risky ride today, he's got good form and is handling the climbs, here on this long ascent he can just pace it out and not worry about attacks. It'll be a test, I don't know how well he'll deal with the different type of terrain and altitude, but stage 3 has shown that at least until 25-minute efforts he remains just as strong as you'd imagine.

Remco Evenepoel - Evenepoel has decent legs, not his best form but good enough to win the race, and good enough to win this stage. The long climbs, specially the final one, will suit his style. When it comes to the GC he sits only 16 seconds away from Gall and 14 from Skjelmose, on paper he is currently the man to beat for the yellow jersey so he has no need to attack. A conservative day, but today he showed signs that he has the legs to win currently.

The high altitude and longer passes will make for a more difficult challenge then previous days. This may not suit all riders, whilst it can benefit others who prefer this terrain. Colombians Rigoberto Urán and Harold Tejada will be interesting to follow as they'll be in ideal conditions.

The GC fight has been quite open and with several cards to play for the podium or possibly even higher. Pello Bilbao, Wilco Kelderman, Cian Uijtdebroeks and Romain Bardet have all looked good and will all stand chances here, as they fight for GC and stage simultaneously. The likes of Juan Ayuso, Ion Izagirre and Sylvain Moniquet should also be up there in the fight.

The breakaway also stands chances on the day, albeit I recon they're somewhat low. Some brilliant climbers have not had their legs here, if they do happen to give it a go and have a good day however they can take the win here such as Neilson Powless, Sergio Higuita and Jakob Fuglsang. Gino Mäder and Mattia Cattaneo will also be options for this scenario.

Prediction Tour de Suisse 2023 stage 5:

*** Felix Gall, Remco Evenepoel
** Mattias Skjelmose, Wilco Kelderman, Pello Bilbao
* Romain Bardet, Cian Uijjtdebroeks, Rigoberto Urán, Harold Tejada, Sylvain Moniquet, Neilson Powless

Pick: Remco Evenepoel