Andreas the Norwegian Leknessund (DSM) claimed his first World Tour victory with a show of strength Alone in the last section that allowed him to sign up for the second stage of the Tour of Switzerland disputed between Küsnacht and Aesch with a route of 198 kilometers, in which the British Stephen Williams (Bahrain Victorious) managed to keep the yellow jersey.
On this occasion, the escape was able to defeat the vast majority, and specifically the strength of a single runner before all. Leknessund (Tromso, 23 years old), Norway’s double time trial champion, demonstrated his riding skills in the moment of truth of the stage.
He resisted in the ports, in the last one he attacked and already rode alone 18 km to the finish line, unattainable despite the platoon’s order to hunt. Leknessund reached the finish line in time to savor the taste of success, not giving credit to its huge display. One could with all.
He signed his first big victory with a time of 4h.46.23, and by 7 seconds he did not take the lead for a handful of seconds. He was avoided by the crowd, who crossed at 38 seconds with the Italian Alberto Bettiol (EF Education) thinking that he was the winner. He did not know that Leknessund was already celebrating the stage victory.
Within the group led Williams, who kept the yellow jersey for 4 seconds against the German Maximilian Schachmann (Bora Hansgrohe) and 6 compared to Danish Andreas Kron (Lotto Soudal), second and third respectively. The stage had underlined the interest in the last 70 km, where 3 interesting ascents were concentrated.
Soon 10 riders left in search of glory: Holmes, Schär, Badilatti, Leknessund, Rutsch, Basso, Suter, Burgaudeau, Vitzthum and Imhof. The project was solid going up the Gempen (2a, 5.4 km at 4.6%), with the peloton far away, 4 min. Of course, the leak went from 10 to 7 units.
Later, by the top of the Eichenberg (3rd, 3 km at 7.4) there were 6 left, with the same difference as before. It was when Bora began to realize that they could be left without a stage and without a yellow jersey for Schachmann. At 30 meters from the finish, through the lush green valley that leads to the Challpass (2nd, 6.3 km at 6.3%), the differences began to diminish. The effort of Bora was joined by Quick Step and Ineos as they passed through the town of Lauten.
hunting operation
The hunt operation had begun, but so had the escape operation. With only one man: Andreas Leknessund, expert time trial king of his country in space and European sub’23 champion. The Nordic decided to do a time trial rather than allow himself to be devoured by a voracious majority that was already being led by the Alpecin Fenix. They all gave in except Lesnessund.
The kid gritted his teeth, didn’t look back and was able to hold on for a minute in the last 10km. Everybody was flying, the Lone Ranger and the chasing train. High speed on the roads of the Jura. The Norwegian got it. He reached the finish line, looked back just in case and celebrated his first big success. It was also celebrated by Bettiol, who did not know of the existence of a man stronger and faster than the rest.
Sometimes these things happen. This Tuesday the third stage between Aesch and Grenchen, of 176.9 km, is disputed.
EFE
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