The Tour de Suisse begins this Sunday with an interesting day. In Liechenstein, the race begins with a short and very fast prologue in the capital of Vaduz where the first differences will be created. We preview a day where Stefan Küng and Stefan Bissegger will aim for a home win.
The Swiss race this year begins in the micronation of Liechenstein, where it recently ended as well. In Liechtenstein, we will see the first gaps of the race being created in what is a small 4.8-kilometer long prologue.
It is pan-flat and not a day to make serious differences. Instead, to make small gaps and attribute the first leader's jersey on a Sunday afternoon when the big crowds will be out. The Course has a square-shaped route, with only three 90-degree corners being the technical challenges.
The Weather
We have got rain! Important and difficult choices will be necessary. What we have is an interesting situation as there forecast of rain for 12h, not for 13h, then again from 14h onwards with increasing likelihood as the afternoon progresses. The time-trial starts just after 14h, it is quite possible that the early starters can be benefited by this situation.
The Favourites
Stefan Küng - One time-trial this season, with a third spot at the Volta ao Algarve. However both riders who beat him on that day are not present here, and I would say Küng is the main favourite to take the win on the day. It is a short time-trial and that may put others in the mix, but in his home race the Groupama-FDJ will be extra motivated to perform, take the win and yellow jersey.
Stefan Bissegger - His compatriot Bissegger is in a similar situation, and this prologue does favour him better than Küng. Against the clock however, the EF Education-EasyPost rider has been far from his best however recently and it will require a performance such as that of his past self.
The course will only be 4.8 kilometers long so it will not be key for the overall classification. But this is a stage, seconds can be won or lost and those who do well in the discipline will definitely want to take advantage of the situation. Defending champion Mattias Skjelmose and Isaac Del Toro can certainly try and make some meaningful differences to a few rivals. João Almeida, Kévin Vauquelin and Alexey Lutsenko, among the GC riders, can also do quite well.
The likes of Ethan Hayter and sometimes Yves Lampaert can do quite well in prologues. I'd definitely fear the Briton, who likes taking risks! Johan Price-Pejtersen, Nelson Oliveira, Alberto Bettiol, Maxim van Gils, Raul García Pierna, Jan Christen and Soren Kragh Andersen are also contenders for the day.
Prediction Tour de Suisse 2024 prologue:
*** Stefan Küng, Stefan Bissegger
** Mattias Skjelmose, Isaac Del Toro, Ethan Hayter
* João Almeida, Kévin Vauquelin, Nelson Oliveira, Johan Price-Pejtersen, Yves Lampaert, Alberto Bettiol, Jan Christen
Pick: Stefan Küng
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