UAE Team Emirates once again dominated in the second last stage of this year’s Tour de Suisse. Adam Yates and João Almeida outdid the competition on the final climb securing their second double victory in a row – this time with Yates the victor.
The almost 60 kilometre circuit of Villars-sur-Ollon was covered twice on the seventh stage. Various breakaway groups tried their luck during the race. But the peloton was always able to react and catch the breakaways. Only Johannes Staune-Mittet (Team Visma | Lease A Bike) managed to pull away on his own for a good while.
On the final climb up to Villars-sur-Ollon his lead steadily dwindled. He claimed the sprint classification at the Tissot kilometre, winning the watch for his troubles. At this point though he only had a few seconds advantage. The Dutchman was finally caught.
No getting past UAE Team Emirates
The two GC leaders, Adam Yates and João Almeida (both UAE Team Emirates), were always lurking in the first chasing group. And just like yesterday, there was no chance for any other team on the final climb today. In the end, the teammates opted not to sprint against each other and crossed the finish line hand in hand. Almeida left the stage win to Yates.
There is no change in the overall classification. Yates goes into tomorrow’s final Time Trial with a 31 second lead. But the duel between teammates is not over. Yates spoke about Almeida’s strength in the final interview: “In the TT tomorrow it could well be that he is a minute faster. He showed how strong he is when he set that crazy pace today.” The final Time Trial takes place tomorrow on an almost identical route to today’s stage.
