It’s getting harder and harder to make solid predictions in bike racing. Especially with a certain Tadej Pogačar (UAE Emirates) is racing. On Wednesday, the world champ essentially blew the Tour de Suisse wide open on the opening day, Tadej Pogačar starts Stage 2 with the yellow jersey and in theory could chill today and finish in the whatever lead group forms, but, we all know that probably won’t happen.
Wednesday’s demolition put minutes into nearly everyone, but Thursday’s circuit around Locarno asks a very different question. On paper, you’d think multiple world ‘cross (and a measly one-time road) champ, Mathieu van der Poel would go for the dub, in this Tour de France prep race.
You’d think.
Stage 2 of the Tour de Suisse
The 157.7-kilometre stage isn’t quite as demanding overall as Day 1 though it should still produce plenty of action.
The early slopes of Monte Ceneri are likely to spark a fierce fight for the breakaway before the race settles down ahead of a punchy finale.
The decisive moments are expected to come on the climbs of Tenero-Contra and Orselina, with the latter cresting just nine fast kilometres from the finish on the shores of Lake Maggiore. It’s a finale that looks better suited to explosive riders than the brutal mountain test that opened the race.
That could bring van der Poel firmly into contention. The Dutch star had no chance (or anyone, really) matching Pogi on Wednesday’s climbs, but Thursday’s shorter efforts are much more in his wheelhouse if he has the legs.
The other ‘favourites’
The usual suspects are guys like Jhonatan Narváez, Romain Grégoire, Mathias Vacek, Thibau Nys who are also among the riders capable of making their presence felt if the favourites arrive together.
The big question, though, remains the same: can anyone stop Pogačar if he decides to attack again? This year’s race is quite shorter–only five days, versus eight. So if he wants to keep honing his form for the Tour, why not make the most of it and get another tough day in his legs, or something.
The women’s Tour de Suisse is also five days this year, and in fact, Sarah Van Dam is having a helluva ride. She took fifth on Stage 1, and second today. The Victoria native now sits third overall and has the white jersey for best young rider. Nadia Gontova (Liv AlUla Jayco) sits 32nd overall.
In the men’s race, there’s one Canadian racing, Pier-André Côté of NSN Cycling.
You can tune into the Tour de Suisse on Flobikes.com, starting at 9:35 a.m. EDT. As always, check back here on Canadian Cycling Magazine for a full report.
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