Due to the many mountain stages, the sprint specialists are particularly in focus in the rather flat second and third stages. Despite several attempts to attack in the final kilometres, the second stage from Vaduz to Regensdorf was indeed decided in a sprint finish. Frenchman Bryan Coquard (Cofidis) took the stage win – Yves Lampaert (Soudal Quick-Step) defended his yellow jersey.
It was a four-man breakaway, including three Swiss riders, that led the field for a long time on the 176.9-kilometre stage from Liechtenstein back to Switzerland. However, the 5 minute advantage was not buffer enough when the race reached the hills before Regensdorf. For Switzerland‘s Félix Stehli (Swiss Cycling) the time in the breakaway was fruitful: he was awarded his second Tissot watch in as many days for the intermediate sprint.
It was a hectic race from the beginning. Eighteen kilometres before the finish several riders crashed, heralding the start of a decisive phase of the race. In the narrow technical section through Buchs, the Italian Alberto Bettiol (EF Education EasyPost) tried to break away. With around 2 kilometres to go, the chasing teams managed to get their sprinters into position. Frenchman Bryan Coquard (Cofidis) took advantage of the situation to snatch the stage win.
Lampaert keeps the yellow jersey
Nothing changes at the top of the overall standings for the time being. The Belgian Yves Lampaert (Soudal Quick-Step) will start in yellow again tomorrow. Eleven seconds down is the best Swiss rider, Stefan Küng (Groupama-FDJ) in 8th place.
It was a frustrating day for Stefan Bissegger (EF Education EasyPost). After narrowly missing out on the stage win yesterday, he could have been in contention for a good result today. However, his team would not allow him to go it alone and he rode the stage as a helper. His disappointment was evident in interviews after the stage.