The route of second stage of this year’s Tour de Suisse on Sunday the 9th of July needs to be changed due to road closures.

That’s what the board of directors decided today. Both passes, the Nufenen and the Furka, that could have led the riders from Quinto to Ulrichen will still be closed because of the unusual large amount of snow, the organizers said earlier today.

“Although we knew that it would be difficult, we never gave up hope until this afternoon. After having talked to the local authorities again, we didn’t have any other choice than adapting the route.” said Rolf Huser, sports director of the Tour de Suisse.

The original plan was to start in Quinto, where the first stage, an individual time trial, will take place on Saturday. The rider’s presentation on Sunday will still take place in Quinto, afterwards the Tour de Suisse will transfer to Ulrichen.

More information about the exact schedule will be given tomorrow at 4h30 pm at a press conference in Quinto.