Meyer Maintains Yellow Jersey in Tour de Suisse
WAIS cyclist Cameron Meyer has maintained his lead in the Tour de Suisse despite seeing Canadian Ryder Hesjedal shave precious time off his lead.
The first road stage, following Meyer’s win in the opening prologue, was won by Dutchman Bauke Mollema who edged his nearest competitors by 11 seconds in the shortened 119.2km stage, after snow had made the finishing ascent up the Crans Montana too dangerous.
Meyer remains three seconds clear of Hesjedal in yellow, after crossing in 13th, 24 seconds behind the race winner. BMC’s Mathias Frank is also within striking distance, just five seconds off Meyer, whilst one of the pre-race favourites – Teejay Van Garderen – was unable to keep pace, falling half a minute behind the Orica-GreenEDGE rider.
Meyer was well supported by teammate Michael Albasini, with the team able to defend Meyer’s position for much of the early part of the climb before the speed and repetition of attacks strung the peloton thin.
The Tour de Suisse continues through more mountainous terrain and includes a second time trial featuring tough uphill climbs which will prove critical for the final GC rankings.