"Three minutes of full-throttle racing" - Maikel Zijlaard takes early race lead at Tour de Romandie with prologue win

In an emphatic display, Tudor Pro Cycling Team's Maikel Zijlaard powered to victory in the prologue of the 2024 Tour de Romandie and into the first race leaders jersey.

“It was a really super technical time trial. I had explored the course a few times and was therefore well prepared at the start," reflected the Swiss to Eurosport, after his efforts for the day were complete. "That is also important for a prologue with thirteen turns. It went well and now I have to wait and see what my time is worth.”

Having set off down the start ramp relatively early, Zijlaard saw superstar rider and superstar rider follow him and not really get close to his time. “When adrenaline is involved, it is always a tough undertaking," the Tudor Pro Cycling Team man adds. "I am happy with my time and curious about the end result.”

Despite the prologue being a short, sharp effort, it's not all about power. Zijlaard stresses the importance of knowing the corners and the route beforehand. “You have to know the bends well so that you can get out of them at speed," he concludes. "You just have to prepare for three minutes of full-throttle racing."