"This win makes such a big difference" - 'Kelso Comet' fires as Oscar Onley secures Tour de Suisse stage 5 victory

Oscar Onley has emerged as one of the leading lights of the new generation of British cycling stars over the last couple of seasons. On stage 5 of the 2025 Tour de Suisse, the 'Kelso Comet' took probably the biggest win of his career to date, denying UAE Team Emirates - XRG leader Joao Almeida in a two-up mountain top sprint.

"I knew I was in good shape and I was feeling good this week but with Almeida here, he’s been really strong this week so far, and it wasn’t even guaranteed that the win would come from the bunch," Onley reflected happily in his post-stage interview with TNT Sports at the finish line. "And with a strong break in front, and not the strongest teams behind to chase. I felt good all day, and I just gave it a go on the last climb."

"I don’t win often, and I’ve had quite a few podiums so far this year or quite close results, so to pull it off today is really nice for myself and for the team," continued the 22-year-old Scot, who only had one previous pro win on his palmares from the Tour Down Under. "My teammates, they do a really good job every day. Today was no different, so it's nice to be able to pay them back now and again."

Whilst Onley came to Switzerland full of GC ambition, a disappointing opening stage has seen the Team Picnic PostNL leader setback. Thanks to this stage win though, he ends the day 4th overall, 1:21 down on race leader Kevin Vauquelin. "I haven’t looked at the GC yet, I don’t even know where I am, but quite a few of us lost time on that first stage, so I was quite disappointed after that. Warren Barguil, one of my teammates, and also the coaching staff, were really supportive of me, and said how long and hard the week was," he concludes. "This win makes such a big difference by Sunday. To think like that is quite hard at the time, but I keep trying to chip away every day."