Stage 3 of the Tour de Suisse Women went the way of the Canyon//SRAM Racing team. Neve Bradbury took the stage win ahead of teammate Katarzyna Niewiadoma making up ground in the overall classification.
An early breakaway group of several riders formed on the stage from Vevey to Champagne. Canyon//SRAM Racing riders were the most active and before long the duo of Neve Bradbury and Katarzyna Niewiadoma separated from the rest. They maintained their advantage until the end. The tactical games playing out in the chasing group behind them around GC leader Demi Vollering (Team SD Worx) worked in their favour.
It was stage victory for Neve Bradbury (Canyon//SRAM Racing) and her first pro win. The Australian also reduced her deficit in the overall classification to 1:22 minutes, moving into second place in the standings. The Lidl-Trek riders Elisa Longo Borghini and Gaia Realini were squeezed off the podium. Their race tactics did not work out today.
They did not participate in the chasing group leaving Demi Vollering to work alone. Regardless the Dutchwoman keeps the overall lead, while the two Lidl Trek riders will have to fight for podium places tomorrow.
Elise Chabbey secures the QOM jersey
The Swiss teammate of the triumphant duo, Elise Chabbey (Canyon//SRAM Racing), secured the first QOM of the second category right at the start and was thus able to claim the overall mountain classification early. Gaia Realini could still catch up with Chabbey in terms of points tomorrow, but as the Swiss rider has won a first category mountain prize and there is none tomorrow, the ranking is decided.