Felix Gall’s first career win results in Tour de Suisse lead
The first Austrian yellow jersey since 2005
Photo by:
Sirotti
Felix Gall’s bid to earn his first career victory on Tuesday was stymied by Mattias Skjelmose, who took over the Tour de Suisse race lead. On Wednesday, Gall prevailed to rip the yellow jersey from Skjelmose’s shoulders, becoming the first Austrian to lead the race since 2005.
The Course
Wednesday’s parcours was similar to Tuesday’s, a backloaded route containing two Cat. 1 climbs. Crans-Montana came first, leading to Cat. 3 Varenstrasse. The final categorized, two-step climb was Dorben, 19 km at 4.5 percent. After a brief descent, there was an uphill drag to the finish line in Leukerbad.
Another day in the mountains at the #TourdeSuisse2023, with Crans Montana as the main course and an uphill finish in Leukerbad. pic.twitter.com/DcKQDoCdoW
— Soudal Quick-Step Pro Cycling Team (@soudalquickstep) June 14, 2023
Nick Zukowsky wasn’t part of Stage 4’s breakaway, which didn’t bode well for his KOM jersey, as Lilian Calmejean, one of 11 escapees on Wednesday, was only five points behind. On Crans-Montana, perhaps leaving it a little late, Zukowsky attacked from a peloton that was 1:45 behind. Calmejean took eight points and moved three points ahead of the Canadian. Zukowsky kept up his pursuit of the breakaway on Crans-Montana’s descent.
40km to go and @NickolasZukows2 is chasing the leading group of 10 riders. He’s 1min in arrears as they tackle the 3rd cat climb.
C’mon Nick!
?: @SprintCycling pic.twitter.com/75hYz4AKBJ
— Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team (@Q36_5ProCycling) June 14, 2023
Zukowsky didn’t make it to Varenstrasse. Juan Ayuso’s UAE-Emirates had the bit between its teeth. Again, Calmejean scored KOM points.
Jumbo-Visma grabbed the reins on the way to Dorben. By the mountain’s foot, the break had split into two uneven sections. Calmejean was up front with three others. When Gall accelerated in the peloton, Ayuso was immediately in peril. Gall linked up with Calmejean’s crew and then dashed away solo. Behind, a high-powered chase containing Remco Evenepoel, Wilco Kelderman and Skjelmose lit out after the Austrian.
Evenepoel was dropped but made it back before the second step. There was a lack of cohesion in the chase group. Gall crested 1:14 over Kelderman, Pello Bilbao and Romain Bardet and 1:20 ahead of Skjelmose and Evenepoel. The chase group gelled once more and Evenepoel claimed second place, Skjelmose third.
Thursday is bookended with two HC-rated climbs; Albulapass crests 9 km from the finish in La Punt.
2023 Tour de Suisse Stage 4
1) Felix Gall (Austria/AG2R-Citroën) 3:42:22
2) Remco Evenepoel (Belgium/Soudal-QuickStep) +1:02
3) Mattias Skjelmose (Denmark/Trek-Segafredo) +1:03
2023 Tour de Suisse GC
1) Felix Gall (Austria/AG2R-Citroën) 11:19:50
2) Mattias Skjelmose (Denmark/Trek-Segafredo) +0:02
3) Remco Evenepoel (Belgium/Soudal-QuickStep) +0:16
