KASIA THIRD IN A STRONG RETURN TO RACING AT TOUR DE SUISSE OPENER

Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney made a strong return to racing today finishing third on the opening stage of Tour de Suisse in Gstaad. The CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto rider sprinted to third from a group of three riders and is third in the general classification in the four-day tour.

A short stage of 96km packed in plenty of action. The peloton splintered over the first of two climbs of the day setting the tone for aggressive racing. Kasia was part of a select group of six climbers that crested the second ascent—the 8km-long Jaun Pass—in a strong position. Marlen Reusser (MOV) launched a decisive attacked, causing the group to fracture. While Demi Vollering (FDJ) bridged across, Kasia was left chasing alone in third. Eventually caught by another two riders, Kasia spent the remainder of the stage chasing to limit the time loss, ultimately sprinting to a hard-earned third place.

Kasia reflects on the Tour de Suisse opener.

“I have mixed feelings after today. I got dropped on the downhill by Marlen and Demi. It was super fast and, unfortunately, I just ran out of gears for that type of descent after having gears for the climb. I ended up being in a situation where I was in a long chase where I would normally be in the front.”

With the first two spots taken, Kasia collected the remaining bonus seconds at the intermediate sprints. She then out sprinted her chase companions to take third place on the stage and move to third overall, at +1:51 minutes behind the tour leader, Reusser.

“At the intermediate sprints I tried an attack because I wanted to arrive to the line alone. Unfortunately, with the heat and the already hard stage, I was chased back. For the final 55km of the stage I was just generally frustrated with myself and the position I put myself in. I was determined to win the sprint to take third place on the stage as a small reward for a difficult day.”

If today is something to go by, tomorrow’s 160km stage two, the longest of the tour, is expected to be a hard-fought battle. An attritional up and down parcours with many riders already a long way down on the general classification sets the scene for a tantalising stage.

HOW TO FOLLOW

Stage 2 | Friday, June 13 | Gstaad  – Campus Sursse, Oberkrich | 161.7km | 2203m elevation | Start: 12:40 – Fastest finish: 16:47 CET. LIVE from 15:00.

Stage 3 | Saturday, June 14 | Campus Sursse, Oberkrich – Küssnacht | 123.1km | 1268m elevation | Start: 12:50 – Fastest finish: 15:50 CET. LIVE from 13:25.

Stage 4 | Sunday, June 15 | Küssnacht – Küssnacht | 129.4km | 1939m elevation | Start: 9:45 – Fastest finish: 13:01 CET. LIVE from 11:00.

Live coverage available via Eurosport, Discovery Plus, TNT Sports, L’Equipe and local Swiss broadcasters. Stay updated on X with #TourdeSuisse, #TDS2025 and #TourdeSuisseWomen, and follow CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto’s social channels for the latest team updates.