Tour de Suisse 2022: GC Favourites

[Underneath text was written before the start of the Tour de Suisse and has not been updated]

The Tour de Suisse opens with five hilly races. GC riders have to be alert, that’s all. The races in itself open opportunities for stage hunters. The GC action is expected to be clustered in the last three days of action.

The 6th stage features 4,208 vertical metres. Following the energy sapping Nufenen Pass on the first half – 24.5 kilometres at 5.5% – and endless false flats underway the Moosalp forms the finale. The climb is 17.6 kilometres long and averages 7.5%.

On paper, the second and last mountain stage looks more challenging. Another huge climb to start with and tap into the reserves – Lukmanier Pass: 18 kilometres at 5.6% – before a huge battle is expected to ignite in the last 25 kilometres. Firstly, a punchy climb with double digit ramps and then the ascent to the line. Which is a 14.4 kilometres toil at 8.6% with 900 metres at 11% within the final 2 kilometres.

GC riders with time trialing skills will have the final say. The Tour de Suisse concludes with a flat to rolling chrono race of 25.6 kilometres long.

Rui Costa is the only former winner at the start. The Portuguese won the Tour de Suisse in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Title holder Richard Carapaz is not defending is title.

Favourites Tour de Suisse 2022

**** Remco Evenepoel, Aleksandr Vlasov
*** Adam Yates, Daniel Felipe Martínez, Thymen Arensman
** Sergio Higuita, Thibaut Pinot, Alexey Lutsenko, Gino Mäder
* Geraint Thomas, Rohan Dennis, Ion Izagirre, Jakob Fuglsang