"There is no internal battle, Damiano Caruso is the leader" - Gino Mäder hoping teamwork will make the dreamwork for Bahrain Victorious on Tour de Romandie queen stage

With both Damiano Caruso and Gino Mäder within a minute of Tour de Romandie leader Juan Ayuso in the general classification, Bahrain - Victorious have plenty of cards to play.

"There is no internal battle, Damiano Caruso is the leader. I think he can win," says Mäder prior to the start of the fourth stage of the Tour de Romandie. With the Swiss rider seemingly confirming his role as a support rider for Caruso, the Italian who currently sits 6th in the general classification must be regarded as a dangerman for the stage win.

"Personally, I feel fine. There is rain today but I like the rain," continues the Giro d'Italia stage winner. Sitting in 12th overall himself at 41 seconds down on Ayuso, the possibility remains that if Caruso is feeling at his best, Mäder could prove a worthy plan-b.

The team's sporting director, Neil Stephens meanwhile expresses his belief that both riders are currently in a strong position. “We have both Gino Mäder and Damiano Caruso in great shape for the queen stage. They both did a great time-trial yesterday and we're to being around the mark today as well."