Jasper Stuyven finished in 13th place in a tricky wet finale for the 193-kilometer stage six at the Tour de Suisse.

Peter Sagan, using his notorious bike handling skills coupled with a great leadout from his team, was placed perfectly coming into the final corner and claimed his second win in this year’s tour.

“In the finale there were a lot of roundabouts and with the wet roads the peloton was all strung out and there was a crash in a tricky corner to the left.  For a long time we were in good position but with two roundabouts to go we lost it completely. Rast tried to move me up, but he was already riding in the wind before so it was really hard. I then tried to go a little bit myself," Stuyven said.

Everyone knew that it was a finale where positioning was of the upmost importance, but the wet roads and a late crash threw a curveball into many team’s well-laid plans.  Gaps formed as riders struggled to hold wheels or jump around others who had slowed, and in the end only five riders were granted the same finish time.

Stuyven explained, “The gaps happened because some guys were giving up. I was on Degenkolb’s wheel and I think he realized that it’s not for him today and he let it go. And then the last corner was still wet and some guys were not going full and taking it carefully, while other guys have finished their pull and making gaps, so yeah, it’s really easy for gaps to happen on wet roads when the peloton is so stretched out. 

“It’s a pity because I was feeling good in the finale, but on the other hand it’s good that we stayed safe because a lot of guys went down in that crash.”

The Tour de Suisse continues tomorrow with stage seven, a 164.6-kilometer stage with more climbs and another tricky finish.

“Tomorrow looks like a hard uphill finish and I will try for sure, but maybe it’s a day that the breakaway stays away,” concluded Stuyven.