Despite a courageous attack by Switzerland’s Elise Chabbey (Canyon//SRAM Racing), the opening stage was ultimately won by Dutch rider Demi Vollering (Team SD Worx – Protime). The teammate of Marlen Reusser, absent due to illness, confirmed her ambition for overall victory.
This year’s Tour de Suisse Women started with a 58.6 kilometre circuit around Villars-sur-Ollon. The rainy conditions meant a quiet start to the race. No one was keen to attack early on so the pace was slow and steady. The peloton nevertheless stretched out on the first climb and some riders lost touch.
Shortly before the first QOM on the Col de la Croix, it was the Swiss rider Elise Chabbey (Canyon//SRAM Racing) who pulled away. She gained a lead of several seconds. As a result, she took the points for the mountain classification and later also the sprint. There was no cohesive attempt to chase her down for quite some time. Marie Schreiber (Team SD Worx – Protime) was the first to try to catch the Swiss rider but was unsuccessful.
The favourite for overall victory prevails
Five kilometres before the finish, one of the big Tour favourites, Demi Vollering (Team SD Worx – Protime) together with Gaia Realini (Lidl-Trek) took up the chase. The lead dwindled steadily with Chabbey clinging on to take the second QOM. As a result, she is in the top position in the QOM classification after the first stage.
Demi Vollering left Realini behind her to take her first Tour de Suisse Women stage victory. The Dutchwoman justified her role as race favourite and will start the second stage in yellow. Elise Chabbey, who had the solo lead for almost 50 kilometres, held on to third position and with it a hard earned place on the podium.