The Tour de Suisse stands as a pinnacle among the year's stage races, serving as the ultimate prelude to the Tour de France. Over eight intense days from June 9th to 16th, Switzerland plays host to this prestigious event, drawing several of the Tour's top contenders. The race unfolds across challenging terrain, including mountainous stages, time trials, and days tailored for classics specialists. As anticipation builds, let's delve into a preview of stage 6.
Stage 6 from Locarno to Blatten brings in difficult challenges. The start of the stage is very calm and flat actually, but that will change. The stage was originally significantly longer and was going to include the brutal and high-altitude Nufenenpass. However bad weather forced race organizers to make the change, leaving the riders with only 42 kilometers of racing. All-in-all, virtually one hour of racing with only a short effort.
But the final ascent, despite looking small in the overall profile of the stage, is brutal and can also see meaningful gaps.
6.9 kilometers at 9.3%. This is a climb that is consistent and consists with the summit finish. Not many switchbacks or corners, specially in the final 2 kilometers which average over 10% are not going to have any restbite spots. It's gruelling and the climb slowly gets harder and harder all the way to the finish.
It is not the hardest stage of the week taking into consideration the brutal stages that have been done and will still be done later on, but it will still be an important day. In Switzerland the climbs are always difficult and important differences can be created. With such short distances, it could also see interesting race dynamics or a few unexpected favourites who will benefit from the lack of overall difficulty in the day.
The Weather
Prediction Tour de Suisse 2024 stage 6:
*** Adam Yates, João Almeida
** Matthew Riccitello, Egan Bernal, Enric Mas
* Tom Pidcock, Oscar Onley, Sergio Higuita, Felix Gall, Cian Uijtdebroeks, Mattias Skjelmose, Wout Poels, Thibau Nys, Maxim van Gils
Pick: João Almeida
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