Yesterday the Tinkoff-Saxo camp may have been slightly worried after Roman Kreuziger did a poor time trial but today the Czech bounced back with a strong showing to finish second in the first mountaintop finish. With the GC win probably beyond his reach, he had approached the stage with a focus on a potential stage win but came up short when Johan Esteban Chaves got a too big gap in the end.

Tinkoff-Saxo captain in Tour de Suisse, Roman Kreuziger, finished second on the stage to the alpine ski resort Verbier 3 seconds after stage winner Estaban Chaves Rubio from Orica GreenEdge. Riding in his usual heavy gear, Kreuziger attacked powerfully with few kilometers to the finish line and forced his rivals to fall of his wheel. But a surprise attack from the Colombian caught the favorites by surprise.
 
“I increased the pace in front of the favorites group after Oliver Zaugg had done a great effort. We slowed down a bit and Chaves attacked. He got a bit too big a gap for me and Mollema to catch him again but for me this was a very positive day”, says Roman Kreuziger on his way to the hotel after the stage.
 
Following a slightly disappointing performance in yesterday’s time trial, Kreuziger showed great - and more importantly - increasing shape ahead of the paramount Tour de France.
 
“I tried to get the stage win today but it was difficult to make a difference before we got on to the steeper section coming into Verbier with few kilometers to go. But I’m happy that I took time on most of my rivals and that I’m back in the top 10 and improving ahead of the Tour”, Kreuziger explains.
 
Kreuziger sits 7th overall with 1’50’’ to race leader Tony Martin. Tomorrow will be another difficult challenge, as the riders must take on the finishing HC-climb to Saaz-Fee. Sport Director Fabrizio Guidi acknowledges that it will be difficult to go for the overall win but remains confident in a successful closing stage of this year’s Tour de Suisse.
 
“Tomorrow will be another day. It was a long and hard stage today and some of our rivals could be more tired tomorrow. It’s a tough climb to Saaz-Fee but we all enjoy racing here in Tour de Suisse, Roman is in good shape and we want to put the pressure on our rivals tomorrow”, finishes Fabrizio Guidi.