Tour de Swiss News http://www.tourdesuisse.ch/ Tour de Swiss News de Tour de Swiss News http://www.tourdesuisse.ch/main/typo3conf/ext/tt_news/ext_icon.gif http://www.tourdesuisse.ch/ Tour de Swiss News TYPO3 - get.content.right http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Tue, 07 May 2013 14:38:00 +0200 In conversation with Suisse Cycling Pro Martin Elmiger http://www.tourdesuisse.ch/nc/en/news/news_detail/article/im-gespraech-mit-martin-elmiger/ Trained as a structural draughtsman, Martin Elmiger first jumped onto a racing bike at the age of 13 and has been plying his trade as a professional rider since 2001. He describes himself as an “all-rounder” and rode for the French team, AG2R La Mondiale, for six years. For this season, the three times Swiss champion has transferred to Western Switzerland’s new cycling stable, IAM Cycling, which will start... What was the highlight of 2012 for you?  The Tour de Suisse and the Olympics in London were the absolute highlights of my season last year. It’s highlights like these that are the reward for the tough training regime and determination to tackle the challenges that confront you.  

You’ve signed for IAM Cycling this season.   As an experienced rider, what kind of role do you have in your new team? 

Passing on my experience to young riders – as well as the entire team – is my main task. And of course it’s also essential for me to deliver good results myself and get myself on top of the podium once or twice! My IAM Cycling teammates are absolutely determined to ride well which makes it huge fun to work with them.  

How has the 2013 season started for you and what are your plans for the year? 

I’ve had a great start to the season with the Tour of Qatar and Tour of Oman and I put in a solid performance in the Classics.   It’s going to be a long season and my favourite race – the Tour de Suisse, which I’ve really put a lot into – is just around the corner.  

What does the Tour de Suisse mean to you? 

The Tour de Suisse is very close to my heart.   I got the cycling bug as a 12-year-old spectator and I haven’t shaken it off since!   If I hadn’t grown up with the Tour de Suisse, I probably wouldn’t have become a professional cyclist.  

 What are your targets for this next Tour de Suisse? 

We’re expecting our first child during the race,   so it’s still not absolutely certain that I will be taking part.   But if I do line up at the start, I’ll be raring to go and committed to riding an attacking race.   This is home fixture for the IAM Cycling Team so we want to create a sensation.  

The local organising committees put a lot of effort into providing a warm reception and a great atmosphere for the riders, the whole Tour caravan and spectators.  As a rider, do you pick up on any of that, or are you simply so absorbed in the race that you don’t have much interest in all the razzamatazz that goes with it? 

I absolutely love the atmosphere – and that includes the delicious smell of frying sausages that wafts across the course! As a rider, I sense the excitement along the route.   But as soon as the field pedals off furiously, I’m in another world and it all just fades into the background.

What’s your experience of the contact with the fans and spectators during the Tour de Suisse?  

I feel more respected as a cycling pro during the Tour de Suisse than at any other time of year.   As an old hand, I’m asked a lot of questions by cycling fans, and although my answers always excite them, they don’t always seem that exciting to me!  

 What’s the first thing that pops into your head when you hear: 

 - Cycling:  

 Fascination and spectacle on two wheels 

 - My race bike: 

 A SCOTT Foil – a weapon that’s huge fun to ride 

 - My team: 

 IAM Cycling – my absolute dream team and lots of brilliant people!  ]]> Tue, 07 May 2013 14:38:00 +0200 IMG and SRG extend contract for Tour de Suisse TV rights http://www.tourdesuisse.ch/nc/en/news/news_detail/article/img-und-srg-verlaengern-tv-rechtevertrag-der-tour-de-suisse/ Swiss public broadcasting corporation, SRG, has secured all media rights – radio, TV, online and mobile – for the Tour de Suisse until 2014. It’s now certain that the Tour de Suisse will still be available to view free-to-air for the next two years. The Swiss radio and TV company, SRG (Schweizerische Radio- und Fernsehgesellschaft), is planning to continue broadcasting the Tour de Suisse on all three national TV ch... Swiss public broadcasting corporation, SRG, has secured all media rights – radio, TV, online and mobile – for the Tour de Suisse until 2014. It’s now certain that the Tour de Suisse will still be available to view free-to-air for the next two years.  The Swiss radio and TV company, SRG (Schweizerische Radio- und Fernsehgesellschaft), is planning to continue broadcasting the Tour de Suisse on all three national TV channels: Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF), Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS) and Radiotelevisione svizzera (RSI). The collaboration has been agreed between SRG – which has previously held the national TV rights for the event – and Tour de Suisse organisers, IMG (Switzerland) AG. As official host broadcaster, SRG continues to be the only channel in Switzerland to have exclusive rights to produce moving images of the Tour de Suisse and to broadcast the race live.  In addition, SRG will also provide an international TV feed which will be distributed via IMG Media to a large number of foreign TV channels. Last year, the Tour de Suisse was broadcast in more than 100 countries. 

New scheduling times agreed 

As part of the new agreement, not only will the Tour de Suisse continue to be a firm fixture in SRG TV schedules but it will be given a much higher profile. This will be achieved in 2013 through fixed transmission times which have already been agreed and are scheduled close to or during peak time viewing. To meet these slots, the riders’ starts and scheduled finishes in the various stages have been moved back. Arrival times are now re-scheduled for between 18.40 and 18.50. Only on the Sundays will riders finish earlier, when coverage will end immediately before the popular “Sportpanorama” programme, which always attracts large audiences.  Due to the synchronisation of transmission times, even higher viewer figures are expected, as well as a further increase in spectator numbers along the route.  The 2013 Tour de Suisse takes place on 8-16 June and passes through all of Switzerland’s language regions.
Click here for the live broadcasting hours.  ]]> Fri, 12 Apr 2013 09:46:00 +0200 We speak to David Perlini, Head of the Arrivals at the 2013 Tour de Suisse http://www.tourdesuisse.ch/nc/en/news/news_detail/article/im-gespraech-mit-david-perlini-sektorenleiter-bereich-ziel-an-der-tour-de-suisse-2013/ David Perlini was a loyal helper in the Tour de Suisse before assuming his first new management role in charge of the finishing line this year. His job is to plan the infrastructure of the finishing line as a whole and then arrange for its installation. In addition, David Perlini also ensures the correct positioning of sponsors’ brand identities and, as a host broadcaster, acts as a link between the Tour management and Sw... How do you feel about your new role? The 77th Tour de Suisse is now my ninth, so I am really familiar with my surroundings and feel accordingly at ease. The current period of preparation is very demanding and labour-intensive, but I’m finding it really enjoyable at the same time. It lays the foundation for everything to run smoothly on race days. 

What is your motivation for being at the TdS as a section head?

I am part of the biggest sporting event in Switzerland and have a responsible job as well, which motivates and energises me. Looking at the pictures of a successful Tour de Suisse on the television is the greatest thrill for me and makes me proud of my super team. 

What are the biggest challenges in your section?

Working with a wide variety of contacts is demanding for me. The spectrum ranges from the professional event manager, the logistics boss of SRF and the ex cycling pro to the general “gofer”. Knowing how to talk to all these people and treating them as equals at the same time is not always easy for me. Keeping the crowds at the finishing line under control is another challenge. However, my top priority is to ensure that no racers, spectators or staff are injured. 

What are you most looking forward to at the TdS 2013?

To good weather and working with happy people who have a positive attitude and are willing to get stuck in.]]> Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:27:00 +0100 French team Sojasun awarded wild card for 2013 Tour de Suisse http://www.tourdesuisse.ch/nc/en/news/news_detail/article/das-franzoesische-team-sojasun-mit-wildcard-an-der-tour-de-suisse-2013-dabei/ The UCI Professional Continental Team Sojasun has been awarded a wild card to compete in the 77th Tour de Suisse. The professional cycling team from France consists of 23 riders and is managed by former French road racing champion, Stéphane Heulot. “The Sojasun Team is an exciting addition to the line-up and we’re looking forward to the Sojasun riders making a dynamic contribution to the race,” says Rolf Hus... The UCI Professional Continental Team Sojasun has been awarded a wild card to compete in the 77th Tour de Suisse.  The professional cycling team from France consists of 23 riders and is managed by former French road racing champion, Stéphane Heulot.  “The Sojasun Team is an exciting addition to the line-up and we’re looking forward to the Sojasun riders making a dynamic contribution to the race,” says Rolf Huser, Business and Sports Director of the Tour de Suisse, on the award of the race’s second wild card.  The team which is based in Noyal-Châtillon-sur-Seiche was formed in 2009 with the name of Besson Chaussures-Sojasun. Initially the team competed with a Continental Team licence and mainly took part in UCI Europe Tour races. In 2010, though, not only was the team granted a Professional Continental Team licence, it also recruited the water company, Saur, as a sponsor. With Saur on board, the team then competed under the name of Saur-Sojasun. However, this season Saur has stepped down and Sojasun, a manufacturer of foodstuffs produced from soya beans, is now the team’s sole main sponsor.  The French Sojasun Team had a fantastic 2012 season with 17 wins, including stage wins in the Volta a Catalunya and the Tour de Romandie and overall wins in the Four Days of Dunkirk and the Etoile de Bessèges. The team has also taken part twice in the Tour de France. The General Manager, Stéphane Heulot, is planning to deliver an outstanding performance in the top flight of professional cycling and is supported in his task by Sports Directors Nicolas Guille, Lylian Lebretion and Gilles Pauchard. The 23 riders that have signed to the team are all French, except for Lithuanian, Evaldas Šiškevicius. Among the team’s top performers are Julien Simon, who was Sojasun’s most successful rider last year with five wins, the new acquisition, Evaldas Šiškevicius, Jimmy Engoulvent, Brice Feillu and Jonathan Hivert.  “The Sojasun Team will rank itself on a par with the UCI WorldTour teams and IAM Cycling, and I think it’s entirely possible for riders such as Julien Simon and Jonathan Hivert to achieve a stage win,” ex-cycling pro Rolf Huser adds confidently. ]]> Thu, 21 Mar 2013 09:24:00 +0100 Route of 2013 Tour de Suisse now confirmed http://www.tourdesuisse.ch/nc/en/news/news_detail/article/strecke-der-tour-de-suisse-2013-steht-fest/ The 2013 Tour de Suisse will start in Quinto on 8 June this year. Awaiting the riders over the following eight days is a demanding and widely diverse tour of Switzerland. From 8 to 16 June, the attention of the cycling world will be on the fourth biggest cycle race in the world: the Tour de Suisse. As usual in recent years, the 2013 Tour de Suisse will start with a time trial in Ticino. Riding the cultural d... The 2013 Tour de Suisse will start in Quinto on 8 June this year. Awaiting the riders over the following eight days is a demanding and widely diverse tour of Switzerland.  From 8 to 16 June, the attention of the cycling world will be on the fourth biggest cycle race in the world: the Tour de Suisse. As usual in recent years, the 2013 Tour de Suisse will start with a time trial in Ticino. 

Riding the cultural divide

As early as the second day, riders hit the highest altitude of the 77th Tour de Suisse en route from Quinto to Crans-Montana as they negotiate the climb over the Nufenen Pass (2478 m). Overlooked by the timeless glaciers of the massive mountains of the Valais, they then take the long descent through the valley of the Rhone and cross the cultural divide from German-speaking Brig to French-speaking Sion before the final climb up to Crans-Montana to produce the first selection in the general classification. “It’s at this early stage that you can put some valuable points in the bank for an overall win,” says Rolf Huser, Business and Sports Director of the Tour de Suisse, of the climb.  The 3rd stage takes the riders from the Mediterranean chic of Montreux on Lake Geneva through Fribourg, the capital of the canton of the same name, up the Lorette climb, along Lake Thun and Lake Brienz and into the Bernese Oberland Alpine pass interchange, Meiringen. Before they cross the finishing line, a tricky additional 37.3 km loop over the Hasliberg uplands awaits the riders. Stage 4 sets off in Innertkirchen and takes the race to Buochs, where the first sprint finish will be contested. On the next day en route from Buochs to Leuggern, the riders encounter an interesting incline as they negotiate the Zurzacherberg Pass, and spectators in Leuggern can look forward to two-and-a-half additional laps of high drama! 

Zooming through Zurich

After a long gap, the 6th stage from Leuggern to Meilen sees the return to the route map of the City of Zurich. “We ride into Zurich from Wollishofen, then the field will whizz over the Quaibrücke bridge and across the Bellevue plaza,” says Rolf Huser, already excited at the prospect of this section of the route. It then continues along Lake Zurich as far as Küsnacht, where the riders make a detour into the hinterland before they arrive at the finish in Meilen. 

Three more key stages for an overall win

More key stages are lined up for the last three days of the race: “It’ll be exciting right up to the finish,” promises Rolf Huser. The Meilen ferry provides an original start venue for the 7th stage – the 2013 Tour de Suisse Queen Stage. The 206 km route takes riders over the Kerenzerberg Pass to Graubünden. After passing through Landquart and climbing up to Davos, the notorious Albula Pass (2312 m) awaits. Then - last but not least - comes a swift descent to La Punt. The highlights of the 8th stage from Zernez to Bad Ragz are the passage through St. Moritz, the climb over the Julier Pass and the intermediate sprint in Chur. Spectators in Bad Ragaz will also have twice the excitement of urging the riders on - thanks to an additional lap. The outcome of the race will go right to the final finishing line of the Tour, with the mountain time trial from Bad Ragaz to Flumserberg in the 9th stage and the last 27 km in the tourist resort of Heidiland deciding the winners of 2013 Tour de Suisse. 

For all the route details, visit our website: www.tourdesuisse.ch 

The route of the 2013 Tour de Suisse is approx. 1318 km in length and covers an elevation gain of 14,921 metres. Detailed route maps, time schedules and elevation profile are available on the Tour de Suisse website: www.tourdesuisse.ch. Minor adjustments may be necessary due to roadworks. Click here for the route details.  ]]> Wed, 13 Mar 2013 13:47:00 +0100 Wild card for IAM Cycling puts Swiss team on starting line for 2013 Tour de Suisse http://www.tourdesuisse.ch/nc/en/news/news_detail/article/das-schweizer-team-iam-cycling-mit-wildcard-an-der-tour-de-suisse-2013-dabei/ Newly formed for the 2013 season, Swiss team IAM Cycling has been awarded a wild card to compete in the 77th Tour de Suisse. Just a few weeks after the new team was presented, it’s now official that after a six-year absence a team with a Swiss licence is once again taking part in the Tour de Suisse. And not only does IAM Cycling have a Swiss Professional Continental Team licence, it also intends to take talented yo... Newly formed for the 2013 season, Swiss team IAM Cycling has been awarded a wild card to compete in the 77th Tour de Suisse.  Just a few weeks after the new team was presented, it’s now official that after a six-year absence a team with a Swiss licence is once again taking part in the Tour de Suisse. And not only does IAM Cycling have a Swiss Professional Continental Team licence, it also intends to take talented young Swiss riders - such as Jonathan Fumeaux and Sébastien Reichenbach - right to the top. Riding alongside them in the team are experienced Swiss athletes such as Martin Elmiger and Johann Tschopp. Rolf Huser, Business and Sports Director of the Tour de Suisse, is sure that IAM Cycling is of huge significance for Swiss cycling and is playing a key role in supporting the next generation of cyclists. “Having a Swiss team on the starting line will push up the value of the Tour de Suisse even more,” Huser points out, adding: “We’re looking forward to a dynamic contribution by the IAM Cycling team as shown in this year’s Tour of the Mediterranean.” The team’s founder is Michel Thetaz, a successful financier based in Western Switzerland. The Geneva-based businessman wants to make a long-term commitment to the team and along with his company, Independent Asset Management or IAM for short, is the team’s main sponsor. Not only does his team aim to be successful, it is also committed to clean cycling and in its first season has joined the Movement for Credible Cycling (known as the MPCC). The sports management at IAM Cycling is in the hands of Serge Beucherie, a former sports director of the Crédit Agricole team. Under his leadership, 23 professional riders, of whom nine are Swiss, have been given contracts. The team’s top performers are Swede Thomas Lofkvist, who has already won the Tour of the Mediterranean this season, and Australian Heinrich Haussler. “The IAM Cycling team is sure to provide one or two surprises in the 2013 Tour de Suisse,” adds the former cycling pro, Rolf Huser, confidently.]]> Wed, 06 Mar 2013 09:29:00 +0100 We speak to Olivier Senn, Race Start Section Leader for the 2013 Tour de Suisse http://www.tourdesuisse.ch/nc/en/news/news_detail/article/im-gespraech-mit-olivier-senn-sektorenleiter-bereich-start-an-der-tour-de-suisse-2013/ As a former cyclist, Olivier Senn is a connoisseur of the competition. Not only has he seen it all from the saddle, he’s also already been a member of the Race Start Team of the Tour de Suisse for past events. Now Olivier has recently been promoted to Race Start Section Leader. As well as having responsibility for building and dismantling the entire infrastructure for the start of the race including the VIP zone, he also ... How are you getting on in your new role? I got a superb reception and have been very well accepted by the team so I’m getting on very well. I’ve had some great support from IMG (Switzerland) AG and I can always count on the help of the project team. I’m really eager and glad to be working on the 2013 Tour de Suisse with my exceptional team. What’s the motivation for your involvement as Section Leader in the Tour de Suisse? On the one hand, as a former cyclist it’s a huge honour to be involved on the operations side of the Tour de Suisse and to use my experience of it to contribute to making sure that it all goes off successfully. On the other hand, there’s the human side that appeals to me: making something happen with my sensational boss, Kurt Betschart, and my team is a great motivator. What are the biggest challenges for your section? Definitely coordinating 40 different individuals, three HGVs and ten cars. Added to that is the challenge of getting the preparations in place every morning in time to allow the sponsors to come into the Village and erect their tents. My aim is to have happy sponsors - even after very long days and nights – who are satisfied with the Tour de Suisse and to find solutions to any problems as quickly as possible. What are you most looking forward to at the 2013 Tour de Suisse? I’m really looking forward to working with my team, to seeing some exciting and flawlessly organised sport and to meeting up with some old acquaintances. And as I’m responsible for the start, it’ll also be nice at the beginning to be in the same place for two days running! ]]> Mon, 04 Mar 2013 16:26:00 +0100 Ride the Tour de Suisse with Bike Switzerland http://www.tourdesuisse.ch/nc/en/news/news_detail/article/mit-bike-switzerland-in-die-welt-der-tour-de-suisse-eintauchen/ This six-day immersion "vacation" has been designed for strong amateur cyclists of all ages. Participants will be viewing stage starts and/or finishes each day while also riding 60 to 100 kilometers themselves. View the heart-stopping action up-close at the VIP viewing stands and lounge.Meet the tour directors and get personal introductions to past and present pro-riders.Get photographed on the winner’s podium ...

  • View the heart-stopping action up-close at the VIP viewing stands and lounge.

  • Meet the tour directors and get personal introductions to past and present pro-riders.

  • Get photographed on the winner’s podium and feel the thrill of being "backstage".

  • Ride hard and see Switzerland on new BMC road bikes.

    • The price of 3,200 Swiss Francs includes six nights in 3-star hotels, most meals, 2013 BMC road bikes, experienced guides, a support vehicle and baggage transfers. Special prices for Swiss residents not needing accommodation are available.  For more information concerning this experience please contact www.bikeswitzerland.com or info(at)bikeswitzerland.com. ]]>     Tue, 26 Feb 2013 07:48:00 +0100     IMG announces another Co-Sponsor for the Tour de Suisse! http://www.tourdesuisse.ch/nc/en/news/news_detail/article/img-gibt-weiteren-co-sponsor-der-tour-de-suisse-bekannt/ From 2013, Swiss DIY chain JUMBO is a new Official Co-Sponsor of the Tour de Suisse. Tour de Suisse organiser and marketing agency, IMG (Schweiz) AG, and the specialist retailer have agreed to work together to promote the event.A fully owned company of Geneva-based MAUS FRÈRES HOLDING SA, Jumbo operates 41 independent DIY stores run as stand-alone businesses in Switzerland and aims to become a regional market leader acros...
    A fully owned company of Geneva-based MAUS FRÈRES HOLDING SA, Jumbo operates 41 independent DIY stores run as stand-alone businesses in Switzerland and aims to become a regional market leader across the whole country.

    Sponsoring the Tour de Suisse, which passes through all the country’s language regions and is very much embedded in regional activities, brings JUMBO one step closer to this aim.

    Official Co-Sponsor is a third-level sponsorship package and covers advertising along the route and at the start and finish lines with a wide range of promotional opportunities and a hospitality allocation.

    It was only recently that IMG announced that all first and second-level sponsorship packages had already been taken.]]>     Thu, 10 Jan 2013 13:39:00 +0100     Only 22 weeks to go before the start of the 2013 Tour de Suisse! http://www.tourdesuisse.ch/nc/en/news/news_detail/article/noch-22-wochen-bis-zum-start-der-tour-de-suisse-2013/ The 8th of June is the day that riders will line up at the start in Quinto in the Canton of Ticino for the 77th Tour de Suisse. And now that the New Year is upon us, we’ve put together an overview of all the key events between now and then - so you won’t miss out! If you’re wondering when exciting news about the race and riders will be coming out, or what this year’s supporting events will be and where and when to catch t...

    March 2013 or earlier

    The route will be revealed in all its detail: the length of the stages, the King of the Mountain and Sprint classifications, the cantons and locations the race will pass through (will you be roadside this year?!), and much, much more...

    April 2013 or earlier

    Find out whether wild cards are to be handed out at this year’s event - and if so which teams will be picking them up

    April 2013

    Time to check out the time schedules, elevation profiles and traffic plans for this year’s race 

    Early May 2013

    Local press conferences will be held at host venues – keep up-to-date! 

    May 2013

    We’ll be recommending the best way for you to get to the route with our advice to spectators, whether you’re travelling by public transport or by car, and we’ll tell you about any diversions and all the local parking information 

    May 2013

    Read all about it: grab your copy of the official Tour de Suisse magazine!

    Late May 2013

    Follow the press launch for an early indication of the WorldTour teams’ starting fields

    7 June 2013

    At last: the field of riders is announced!

    7 June 2013

    The place to be is Quinto – for the presentation of the teams

    8-16 June 2013

    And they’re off: the race is on in the Tour de Suisse!

    16 June 2013

    The stage hosts for 2014 are revealed!

    As always, you can find all the information and documents you need at the appropriate time at www.tds.ch. ]]>     Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:25:00 +0100     4 questions for Emmanuelle Chatenet, Head of Marketing & Communications at Vaudoise Versicherungen http://www.tourdesuisse.ch/nc/en/news/news_detail/article/4-fragen-an-emmanuelle-chatenet-leiterin-marketing-kommunikation-der-vaudoise-versicherungen/ Why did you decide to become the main sponsor of the Tour de Suisse? Vaudoise’s entry into the world of cycling as a sponsor has grown slowly but progressively as it’s proved to be a positive experience that we’ve enjoyed and been able to share with our customers and staff. Our adventure began in 2009 when we sponsored the Yellow Jersey for the Tour de Romandie. After that, we became a main sponsor of the event and sin... Why did you decide to become the main sponsor of the Tour de Suisse? Vaudoise’s entry into the world of cycling as a sponsor has grown slowly but progressively as it’s proved to be a positive experience that we’ve enjoyed and been able to share with our customers and staff. Our adventure began in 2009 when we sponsored the Yellow Jersey for the Tour de Romandie. After that, we became a main sponsor of the event and since 2011 its Presenting Sponsor. Subsequently, we’ve been working on extending our involvement to the whole of Switzerland as we’re a national insurance company and we stand by cohesion and loyalty in our commitments. In June 2012, we had the opportunity to take on the mantle of Presenting Sponsor for the Tour de Suisse, and we did so with great pleasure. We believe in this event and we want to continue supporting and promoting it in cooperation with the organisers. What are the biggest challenges in planning for next year’s Tour? Of course, we’d like to offer the audience an event with added value and contribute to achieving a top quality Tour de Suisse. That’s why we’re trying to create new and innovative initiatives that will attract and excite the audience. But to be able to put these initiatives into action, we’ll need to have staff right there on site, which is no simple undertaking. Even now we’re busy recruiting staff for the Tour de Suisse. What’s new for the fans to forward to in 2013? In all the sponsorship commitments it enters into, Vaudoise is an active partner. We try to bring real added value – both for the organisers and for the event itself and of course for the benefit of the audience. As a service provider and supplier of advice and solutions, we see ourselves more as a partner than a sponsor. So for a while now we’ve been in discussions with our partners and with the organisers of the TdS to hammer out the essentials: this spectacle - this encounter between the sport and its audience – will be designed to be more exciting, more celebratory and we’ll be making more connections. Quality will have priority over quantity and we’ll be focusing mainly on one thing: raising awareness of cycling. What are you most looking forward to looking at the 77th Tour? I’m looking forward to travelling throughout Switzerland with the Tour de Suisse and Vaudoise which will give me the opportunity to go to the audience in the various regions. And I’m definitely looking forward to seeing the Tour leader in the Vaudoise jersey!]]> Fri, 14 Dec 2012 14:12:00 +0100 IMG makes early announcement on top sponsors for 2013 Tour de Suisse! http://www.tourdesuisse.ch/nc/en/news/news_detail/article/img-verkuendet-fruehzeitig-top-sponsoren-der-tour-de-suisse-2013/ It’s still seven months until the start of the fourth biggest cycle race in the world and the key sponsors are already in place. IMG can therefore claim another coup in cycling in the midst of the sport’s current supposed difficulties. Only recently, IMG announced it had acquired the media rights for the Flanders Classics, and as early as summer this year IMG gave a briefing on a partnership it had entered into with... Only recently, IMG announced it had acquired the media rights for the Flanders Classics, and as early as summer this year IMG gave a briefing on a partnership it had entered into with Giro d’Italia event organiser, RCS, to cover the media marketing activities for various Italian races. And now all the partners in the second highest sponsor category, Official Sponsor, of the Tour de Suisse are also in place after it was announced - at the end of this year’s Tour - that Vaudoise Versicherungen will be supporting the Tour de Suisse as Presenting Sponsor.
    The company search.ch has extended its contract and will sponsor the awards for the leading riders in the points standings again in 2013. The race’s cooperation with the well-established Swiss company, Roland, was also renewed which - like search.ch – stepped forward in 2012 as Official Sponsor of the Tour de Suisse for the first time. The HARIBO brand, currently a Co-Sponsor of the Tour de Suisse, will be celebrating a first in the event with its name gracing the fastest sprinter jersey at next year’s event, and it was already known that the long-standing collaboration with Le Gruyère AOC would continue.
    Rolf Huser, Business and Sports Director of the Tour de Suisse, puts this success down to a variety of factors: “For a wide range of companies, the Tour de Suisse is an extremely good communications platform, and Vaudoise Versicherungen, Roland, search.ch, HARIBO and Le Gruyère AOC provide emphatic proof of this. I believe that the cooperation we have with our partners is also a sign of confidence in our work in recent years.”
    With the acquisition of jersey sponsors, all the major sponsorship packages have now been taken. All sponsorship packages were placed by the event organiser and marketing agency for the Tour de Suisse, IMG (Switzerland) AG.]]>     Wed, 05 Dec 2012 10:11:00 +0100     In conversation with David Loosli, Stage Host Manager and Route Coordinator of the Tour de Suisse http://www.tourdesuisse.ch/nc/en/news/news_detail/article/im-gespraech-mit-david-loosli-etappenort-manager-und-strecken-koordinator-der-tour-de-suisse-kopie/ David Loosli ended his professional cycling career last year, swapping the bike saddle for the office chair. As Stage Host Manager and Route Coordinator of the Tour de Suisse, he continues to put quite a few kilometres behind him, travelling throughout Switzerland to make sure that his former team mates work up a proper sweat when they compete in the 77th race. How are you getting on in your new role? It’s going e... David Loosli ended his professional cycling career last year, swapping the bike saddle for the office chair. As Stage Host Manager and Route Coordinator of the Tour de Suisse, he continues to put quite a few kilometres behind him, travelling throughout Switzerland to make sure that his former team mates work up a proper sweat when they compete in the 77th race.  How are you getting on in your new role? It’s going extremely well and the work is great fun. After all these years, it’s fascinating to get to know the Tour de Suisse from the other side. What’s the difference in how riders and organisers see the event?  As a rider, you can concentrate solely on the race while the team looks after all the razzamatazz. When you’re organising this kind of sporting event, there are a lot more aspects that you need to take into account. You need to find the best solution for all concerned - the riders, the sponsors, the spectators and the local organising committees, to name but a few. The biggest challenge for me is meeting the requirements of the various target groups.  How is the route planning for 2013 progressing? The route planning is already in full swing. I had the best possible induction into the job over the past few months from Beat Zberg, and so carrying on with the planning for the 2013 route has gone without a hitch. The vast experience of the whole TdS team also supports me in the day-to-day work.  Can you give us an exclusive insight into what is now your daily routine?  The first stage in planning the route started months ago with the appointment of the stage hosts. They were introduced at the closing press conference for the 2012 TdS and they now form the framework for the rest of the planning for 2013. The next stage was to create a rough route concept for a round trip that’s packed with variety. Now we’re having to go into more and more detail and plan the exact route. That includes visits to inspect the route, consultations with the local police, submitting requests to the cantons that are involved right through to the precise drafting of the time schedules for the individual stages.  What are you most looking forward to at the 2013 TdS, and do you think you’ll miss not being back on the bike yourself? Certainly, I’ll be glad to see how the riders tackle the routes I’ve planned myself from scratch. I’ll also be pleased to meet up again with my old team-mates from my racing days. I had a fantastic time as a rider and I’ve have experienced a lot over the years. Because of my new role, I don’t miss the racing. I still feel like I’m part of what’s going on in the race, even if I’m no longer sitting on the bike but am part of the organisation of the TdS.]]> Mon, 01 Oct 2012 14:44:00 +0200 Flocking in numbers to the 2012 Tour de Suisse! http://www.tourdesuisse.ch/nc/en/news/news_detail/article/andrang-auf-tour-de-suisse-2012/ The 2012 Tour de Suisse was followed online by nearly twice as many visitors to our website this year as in 2011. And once again this year, there was plenty going on in the 76th Tour de Suisse for sports fans and media alike. All top teams at the start and some sporting surprises along the way 20 teams started the round trip of Switzerland, with 18 of them ranking as the top teams in the world. The organise... The 2012 Tour de Suisse was followed online by nearly twice as many visitors to our website this year as in 2011.  And once again this year, there was plenty going on in the 76th Tour de Suisse for sports fans and media alike. 

    All top teams at the start and some sporting surprises along the way

    20 teams started the round trip of Switzerland, with 18 of them ranking as the top teams in the world. The organisers also used the wild card option to bring Type 1 teams (sanofi and SpiderTech) into the field of 160 riders from 25 countries – 8 of them Swiss. The overall winner of the 76th race was Rui Alberto Faria Da Costa (POR), who after 1,398.6 kilometres and 19,177 meters at altitude came in 14 and 21 seconds respectively ahead of two former Tour de Suisse winners, Frank Schleck (LUX) and Levi Leipheimer (USA). One of the busiest riders was rising star, Peter Sagan (SVK), who collected 4 day wins and the Points Leader jersey. Happy moments for the Swiss were provided by Michael Albasini as he completed the tough uphill finish at Arosa as stage winner and Matthias Frank who took the title of Best Swiss Rider in the overall classification. Tanel Kangert gifted a first to the Tour de Suisse in Sörenberg as the first Estonian in the history of the race to secure a day win. 

    Sustainability concept implemented for the first time 

    A strategy was developed specifically for the Tour de Suisse to contribute to the sustainable development of the event: “VeloVert” allowed existing measures to be optimised, new potential to be uncovered and specific rules to be defined for all participants. It pulled together a total of 40 measures covering the areas of Environment, Economy and Society, thus landing the Tour de Suisse the role of pioneer in the global sport of cycling. 

    Huge national and international media presence 

    More than 400 national and international media and TV journalists were accredited for and reported from the Tour de Suisse. In Switzerland, SF, RTS and RSI broadcast live in all 3 language regions and generated a net audience of 11.56 million viewers overall (source: Sport+Markt Consultancy Agency). IMG Media – responsible for distributing international TV rights – secured broadcasts in 118 countries all over the world.  

    Tour de Suisse website hits double

    902,822 people in 182 countries (source: google analytics) visited the official Tour de Suisse website and generated 9,055,007 pageviews – nearly twice as many as in 2011.  And on top of that the number of Facebook fans grew within two years from just under 1,000 to just over 8,300 users (60% international users, 40% in Switzerland). 

    Change of sponsors for 2013

    The four leader jerseys in this year’s event were sponsored by Würth, Vaudoise Versicherungen, search.ch and Roland, as marketing agency IMG (Switzerland) AG had been successful in bringing two newcomers on board – search.ch and Roland – as clients for the Tour de Suisse. Le Gruyère AOC added to the circle of five top sponsors as day winner sponsor. It was the eighth and last Tour de Suisse for principle sponsor, Würth, who in recent years has contributed much to the successful development of the event but is now stepping down from cycling sponsorship for strategic reasons. Würth is succeeded by insurance company, Vaudoise Versicherungen, whose name was previously to be seen on the King of the Mountains jersey. 

    Planning for 2013 Tour de Suisse already well under way

    The small commune of Quinto in the District of Leventina is next year’s host for the start of the 77th Tour de Suisse. Switzerland’s next round trip will end with a mountain time trial from Bad Ragaz to Flumserberg. As usual, we’ll be publishing all the details on the route in February 2013. ]]>     Tue, 28 Aug 2012 09:52:00 +0200     Bidding for budding talent: put in a winning bid at the VeloVert auction and support the next generation! http://www.tourdesuisse.ch/nc/en/news/news_detail/article/auktion-fuer-guten-zweck-velovert-ersteigern-und-nachwuchs-unterstuetzen/ 12.00 noon on 6 August 2012 will see the start of bidding in the big auction for a great cause! For 10 days, Tour de Suisse fans can submit their bids for a FOCUS bike signed by Rui Costa, Levi Leipheimer, Fränk Schleck, Fabian Cancellara, Roman Kreuziger and Vladimir Karpets and at the same time support Switzerland’s next generation of cyclists. While support for new talent is one of the main aims, when it comes to the ... The green bike - FOCUS FAT BOY 30-G XT • Tektro Draco disc brake
    • MTB Sport Pro double butted alloy frame
    • Shimano XT rear derailleur
    • Suntour SCT V4 MLO fork
    • Autographed by Rui Costa (2012 winner), Levi Leipheimer (2011 winner), Fränk Schleck (2010 winner), Fabian Cancellara (2009 winner), Roman Kreuziger (2008 winner) and Vladimir Karpets (2007 winner). 
    • PHOTO
    • More information on FOCUS bikes HERE

    Club Maillot d’Or – supporting Switzerland’s next generation of cyclists

    The club funds and supports budding Swiss talent across all disciplines in the sport of cycling by means of project-based financial contributions (e.g. the Rübliland Grand Prix). It also holds its own race series for junior cyclists: the Club Maillot d'Or Challenge. At least 80% of its income is used for projects which are approved on application by the club’s board for training, supporting new talent and coaches. The applications for the current year are also presented and discussed at the club’s AGM. The rest of the income is used for various club activities. More HERE.

    Professional cyclists are joining in. The organisers are joining in. You can join in too and submit your bid any time between 6 and 16 August 2012 HERE!

    Conditions of entry

    Participants must have a place of residence in Switzerland. By participating in the VeloVert online auction and bidding for the bike which is on offer, you confirm that you are making a legally binding offer. If your bid for the bike on offer is accepted at the end of the auction, you are obliged to buy it at the price that you have submitted. The delivery costs will be covered by IMG (Switzerland) AG.]]>     Fri, 03 Aug 2012 15:48:00 +0200     The 2012 Tour de Suisse VeloVert Partner and Stage Host: recognition for a special contribution http://www.tourdesuisse.ch/nc/en/news/news_detail/article/velovert-partner-und-etappenort-der-tour-de-suisse-2012-eine-auszeichnung-fuer-ein-besonderes-engag/ The organisers of the Tour de Suisse have presented awards to a sponsor and a stage host for their special contribution to sustainability as part of the 76th Tour de Suisse. The title of 2012 VeloVert Partner was successfully secured by KYOCERA, while Arosa was awarded the title of 2012 VeloVert Stage Host. To recognise the highly influential role of sponsors and stage hosts in the sustainable development of the Tour de... KYOCERA, 2012 VeloVert Partner The specialist printer supplier has demonstrated its commitment to guaranteed waste reduction with its KYOCERA ECOSYS technology which needs fewer consumables than conventional printers. The Tour de Suisse partner has also introduced a number of green initiatives including a shift from the use of colour paper to 100% recycling paper, using new economical vehicles and aerodynamic advertising vehicles, promoting the reduction of transport miles by selecting a location for onward delivery or for team change in the immediate vicinity of its headquarters and, finally, distributing sustainable, unpackaged, Swiss-produced promotional gifts.

    Arosa, 2012 VeloVert Stage Host

    The stage host undertook a number of travel initiatives including actively advertising rail connections, providing a free bus service for TdS visitors and using electric vehicles for its own transport. With regard to reducing and properly disposing of waste, Arosa implemented a number of initiatives, including using recycled paper, dispensing with drinks supplied in cans, supplying the catering outlets with additional PET and glass banks and carefully planning the recycling and separation of the remaining refuse. Other measures included the use and efficient re-deployment of existing infrastructure, the use of renewable energy and water-saving sanitary facilities and various efforts to involve the local population. For their special efforts, the winners of this year’s competition have received 10 VIP tickets for a place at the finishing line of their choice at the 2013 Tour de Suisse. The Tour de Suisse organisers would like to thank all 2012 Tour de Suisse sponsors and stage hosts for their contribution and urge them rise to the challenge again in future and improve their personal best!]]>     Mon, 06 Aug 2012 14:01:00 +0200     The best fan photo of the 2012 Tour de Suisse http://www.tourdesuisse.ch/nc/en/news/news_detail/article/die-schoensten-aufnahmen-der-tour-de-suisse-2012-mach-mit-und-gewinne/ In recent weeks, lots of fans have been sending in their best photos of the 2012 Tour de Suisse for entry in the fan photo competition. Seven cycling fans have won a unique collection of autographs with their photographs capturing a specific moment in time. Fans had to submit their best photographs of the 2012 Tour de Suisse by 15 July to win a unique collection of autographs of the riders who had taken part in the 2012 ... Mon, 06 Aug 2012 14:14:00 +0200 Rui Costa Wins 76th Tour de Suisse http://www.tourdesuisse.ch/nc/en/news/news_detail/article/rui-costa-wins-76th-tour-de-suisse/ Tanel Kangert from Estonia wins the final stage of this year?s Tour de Suisse from Näfels to Sörenberg (216 km). Portuguese rider Rui Costa manages to defend his lead in the overall ranking and wins the 76th Tour de Suisse. Today?s stage from Näfels to Sörenberg was very exciting until the last few kilometers of the race. Tanel Kangert from Estonia wins the final stage of this year?s Tour de Suisse from Näfels to Sörenberg (216 km). Portuguese rider Rui Costa manages to defend his lead in the overall ranking and wins the 76th Tour de Suisse. Today?s stage from Näfels to Sörenberg was very exciting until the last few kilometers of the race.

    During the climb up to the Glaubenberg pass, overall second-placed Fränk Schleck launched an attack for the tour win. But the distance to go until the finish in Sörenberg was too long ? and the peloton managed to catch up with Schleck. A little while later, overall eight-placed Steven Kruijswijk also tried to break away from the peloton, but his attack didn?t turn out successful either.

    Costa?s Two Stage Wins the Foundation for Overall Triumph

    After Rui Costa found himself on the verge of losing the overall Tour de Suisse lead during the stage up to Arosa on Saturday, the Portuguese was able to show a more convincing race in the final stage today. Furthermore, he was fortunate that he could count on Alejandro Valverde?s magnificent support: Costa?s teammate gave everything he had until his energy faded away and contributed a considerable part to Rui Costa?s overall Tour de Suisse win - the first ever Portuguese to do so.

    Costa laid the foundation for the biggest triumph of his career last Sunday with his stage win in Verbier and a strong performance in the time trial in Gossau on Friday. Mathias Frank, the best Swiss rider this week, finished the Tour de Suisse in 12th place and also owes a big part of this good overall ranking to his impressive effort in the race against the clock on Friday.

    Another Premiere at the Tour de Suisse

    Today?s finish in Sörenberg saw a second premiere: Tanel Kangert was the first ever Estonian professional to win a stage at the Tour de Suisse. Kangert was part of a breakaway group that was in the lead for 165 km. In the end, two riders remained and, in the final sprint, Kangert easily beat Jérémy Roy (FRA). His victory today was the Estonian rider?s first ever win as a professional.


    ]]>     22599200000 Sun, 17 Jun 2012 19:38:00 +0200     Albasini Wins Royal Stage http://www.tourdesuisse.ch/nc/en/news/news_detail/article/albasini-wins-royal-stage/ Michael Albasini is the first Swiss rider to win a stage at this year?s Tour de Suisse. In the mountain holiday resort of Arosa, the rider from Eastern Switzerland celebrates a solo win after an escape of 135 km. Portuguese rider Rui Costa manages to defend the yellow jersey of the overall leader narrowly before tomorrow?s final stage. Michael Albasini is the first Swiss rider to win a stage at this year?s Tour de Suisse. In the mountain holiday resort of Arosa, the rider from Eastern Switzerland celebrates a solo win after an escape of 135 km. Portuguese rider Rui Costa manages to defend the yellow jersey of the overall leader narrowly before tomorrow?s final stage.

    At the beginning of today?s stage from Bischofszell to Arosa, a breakaway group of four riders launched a first attack and got away from the peloton. But in Chur, the capital of the canton of Grisons, and before the final climb up to Arosa, Thomas Dekker (NED) and Rémi Cusin (FRA) couldn?t keep up with the other two riders of this breakaway group anymore and had to let them pull away.

    Albasini Leader of the Overall Climber Ranking

    18 km before the finish in Arosa, Albasini launched another attack and managed to shake Peter Velits off ? the Slovak couldn?t keep up with the Swiss rider?s pace and fell behind. In the end, Albasini reached the finish line solo and with an advantage of 1:15 minutes ahead of his pursuers. As well as winning today?s stage, Albasini has now also taken over the lead in the overall climber ranking.

    "I?m extremely happy. Everyone knew that I would launch an attack at some point today, as the stage also led through Gais, the small town where I live. But the end of the race was very difficult and hard today?, said Albasini after his third Tour de Suisse stage win in total. In 2005, he won the stage in Altdorf, and in 2009, he crossed the finish line as the first rider in Serfaus (AUT).

    Excitement Guaranteed for Tomorrow?s Final Stage

    Today?s stage has changed the situation at the top of the overall rankings before tomorrow?s final stage: After the time trial yesterday, Rui Costa set off with an overall advantage of 50 seconds today ? but he had to fight really hard to defend the yellow jersey. In the end, he had to be thankful to his teammate Alejandro Valverde, who supported the overall leader and was also responsible for the fact that the Portuguese will also be wearing the yellow jersey tomorrow.

    Before tomorrow?s final stage from Näfels to Sörenberg in Central Switzerland, Costa is now leading the overall rankings with an advantage of just 14 seconds ahead of Fränk Schleck, 21 seconds ahead of Levi Leipheimer and 25 seconds ahead of Robert Gesink.

    ]]>     22574400000 Sat, 16 Jun 2012 19:38:00 +0200     Kessiakoff Beats Cancellara Narrowly http://www.tourdesuisse.ch/nc/en/news/news_detail/article/kessiakoff-beats-cancellara-narrowly/ Fabian Cancellara misses the win in this year's second Tour de Suisse time trial in Gossau by an extremely narrow margin. Ahead of him, Swedish rider Fredrik Kessiakoff was the fastest competitor today, and Rui Costa managed to defend the yellow jersey of the overall leader. Fabian Cancellara misses the win in this year's second Tour de Suisse time trial in Gossau by an extremely narrow margin. Ahead of him, Swedish rider Fredrik Kessiakoff was the fastest competitor today, and Rui Costa managed to defend the yellow jersey of the overall leader.

    Fabian Cancellara's form is continuously improving as we're approaching the Olympic Games in London. The 31-year-old Swiss finished today's 34.3 km long race against the clock in second place, just 1.8 seconds behind the winner.

    In the climb up to Pfannenstiel, a ridge along the Lake of Zurich, Cancellara lost the seconds that were to make the difference today. But even so, the reigning time trial Olympic Champion was still happy with his performance - especially as he got faster towards the end of the course and was able to get closer to stage winner Kessiakoff.

    Rui Costa Increases Overall Lead

    In this year's Tour de Suisse prologue, a 7.3 km long time trial in Lugano last Saturday, Cancellara was also beaten very narrowly - back then, he finished the stage in second place, just 4 seconds behind winner Peter Sagan from Slovakia. Surprisingly, Rui Costa managed to defend the yellow jersey of the overall leader today.

    The Portuguese reached the finish just 41 seconds after Kessiakoff, who today celebrated his most important victory since he switched from mountain biking to road racing. Rui Costa has increased his overall lead considerably: He now leads the overall rankings 50 seconds ahead of Roman Kreuziger (CZE); third-placed Dutch rider Robert Gesink follows with an overall deficit of 55 seconds.

    The penultimate stage tomorrow leads from Bischofszell to the mountain holiday resort of Arosa (stage distance 148 km).

    ]]>     22555200000 Fri, 15 Jun 2012 19:04:00 +0200     7th stage: Starlist for time trial in Gossau (ZH) http://www.tourdesuisse.ch/nc/en/news/news_detail/article/7-etappe-starliste-fuer-das-zeitfahren-in-gossau-zh/ Here you find the startlist of the 7th stage in Gossau (ZH):Startlist
    Startlist]]>     Fri, 15 Jun 2012 11:00:00 +0200     High Flyer Sagan: Fourth Stage Win http://www.tourdesuisse.ch/nc/en/news/news_detail/article/high-flyer-sagan-fourth-stage-win/ Slovakian rider Peter Sagan wins today?s flat stage (stage 6 from Wittnau to Bischofszell) and celebrates his 4th Tour de Suisse stage win this year. During the final sprint of the day, he first got stuck in the peloton and then almost got pushed into the safety fences by Albasini. Slovakian rider Peter Sagan wins today?s flat stage (stage 6 from Wittnau to Bischofszell) and celebrates his 4th Tour de Suisse stage win this year. During the final sprint of the day, he first got stuck in the peloton and then almost got pushed into the safety fences by Albasini.

    During the sprint for today?s stage win, Sagan first got stuck in the peloton and then almost got pushed into the safety fences by Swiss rider Michael Albasini ? but in the end, it was again the Slovak who crossed the finish line as the winner. After winning the time trial in Lugano and triumphing in the two massed sprints in Aarberg and Trimbach, the sprint specialist made it to the top of the podium for the 4th time during this year?s Tour de Suisse.

    Swift and Davis on the Podium

    Behind dominator Peter Sagan, Ben Swift (GB) and Allan Davis (AUS) came in second and third. Other strong sprinters like Alessandro Petacchi or Tom Boonen again were not able to join in the fight for victory.

    Albasini, the best Swiss rider of the day, finished the stage in fourth place and missed the podium narrowly. On the last few meters, he just didn?t have the strength to keep up with Sagan and sprint for the stage win against him. In the last bend 150m before the finish line, Albasini had been at the head of the peloton and in a very good position for the final sprint ? but it wasn?t to be.

    Breakaway Group in the Lead for Most of the Stage

    Today?s stage through Northern Switzerland saw the breakaway of five riders just 35km into the race. Rubens Bertogliatti was also among these five riders at first; however, he was not able to keep up the pace and had to let his escape companions pull away. If Bertogliatti had remained at the head of the race, the peloton would probably have launched an attack to catch up with the breakaway group as Bertogliatti?s deficit in the overall rankings was quite small. The last two surviving breakaway riders, Matteo Montagutti (ITA) and Troels Rönning Vinther (DEN), were only caught up with 2km before the finish in Bischofszell.

    As expected, Rui Costa (POR) managed to defend the yellow jersey of the overall leader during the last flat stage of this year?s Tour de Suisse without any problems. Friday?s stage will be a time trial competition in Gossau - it?s possible that Costa will be wearing the yellow jersey for the last time during the 34.3km tomorrow. Fabian Cancellara is also one of the favorites for the stage win in tomorrow?s race against the clock. The Swiss rider was trying to preserve his strength today and reached the finish line with a deficit of almost 5 minutes.

    ]]>     22529400000 Thu, 14 Jun 2012 19:20:00 +0200     Underdog Isaytchev Triumphs in Final Sprint http://www.tourdesuisse.ch/nc/en/news/news_detail/article/underdog-isaytchev-triumphs-in-final-sprint/ Underdog Vladimir Isaytchev wins the 5th stage of this year?s Tour de Suisse in a gripping final sprint in Gansingen and celebrates the first ever victory of his professional career. Underdog Vladimir Isaytchev wins the 5th stage of this year?s Tour de Suisse in a gripping final sprint in Gansingen and celebrates the first ever victory of his professional career. Rui Costa defends his overall lead. Today?s stage saw the impressive breakaway of seven riders who defended their lead for most of the stage and reached the finish line ahead of the peloton.

    Underdog Vladimir Isaytchev wins the 5th stage in Gansingen and celebrates his first ever win as a professional. Rui Costa reaches the finish with the peloton and defends his overall lead. During a good part of today?s stage, the impressive breakaway of seven riders caught everyone?s attention - the breakaway riders managed to defend their position for 180 km. However, the riders in this group were not considered favorites for the tour win.

    That was probably the reason why the peloton did not even try to catch up with the breakaway group. Overall leader Rui Costa was able to defend his overall leading position today, even though he reached the finish in Gansingen with the peloton with a deficit of approximately 10 minutes.

    Isaytchev?s First Big Appearance

    In the end, the stage was decided between the six riders who were able to keep up in the leading group. Daniel Oss (It) was considered the best sprinter among them; however, he was not able to pull it off until the end. Instead, Vladimir Isaytchev, who has not won any international races so far, got the better end and finished the stage on the top of the podium.

    The 28-year-old Russian from Samara, a place known for its long cycling tradition, spent his first three seasons as a pro with a Spanish team and has been with Team Katyusha since the 2010 season.

    Isaytchev Now Leader of the Overall Climber Ranking

    "I was a bit concerned whether I would make it through all the climbs up to the finish. But I was quite sure that I would be able to beat all of the riders in the breakaway group in a final sprint?, said Isaytchev, who won four out of six mountain finishes. Thanks to his performance today, he?s now taken over the polka dot jersey of the leader of the overall climber ranking from Frank Schleck (Lux).

    ]]>     22509600000 Wed, 13 Jun 2012 19:07:00 +0200     Unbelievable - Sagan Sprints to Hattrick http://www.tourdesuisse.ch/nc/en/news/news_detail/article/unbelievable-sagan-sprints-to-hattrick/ Peter Sagan continues his winning streak. After crossing the finish line first in both Lugano and Aarberg, the Slovakian rider wins today?s 4th stage in a massed sprint in Trimbach/Olten (distance of today?s stage 188.8 km). None of the other competitors was able to counter the 22-year-old?s superior speed in the final sprint. Peter Sagan continues his winning streak. After crossing the finish line first in both Lugano and Aarberg, the Slovakian rider wins today?s 4th stage in a massed sprint in Trimbach/Olten (distance of today?s stage 188.8 km). None of the other competitors was able to counter the 22-year-old?s superior speed in the final sprint.

    Today?s stage saw some strong performances by the Swiss riders who did not let the bad weather stop them. In the end, a rider from Slovakia won the stage after a German contender (Marcus Burghardt) had almost spoilt the sprint for him. The other riders in the peloton were not able to beat 22-year-old Peter Sagan thanks to his superior sprinting speed. Consequently, the Slovakian rider celebrated his 34th career win after a day in the rain.

    Strong Swiss Performance in the Rain

    Despite the wet conditions and the cold temperatures, the Swiss professionals were very active throughout the stage and showed some strong performances. Gregory Rast and Martin Kohler were both part of the most prominent breakaway group of the day. However, the group?s prospects were rather dim from the beginning because Dario Cataldo (It) was also trying to escape with them: He was considered a dangerous contender for the overall win.

    Martin Elmiger, together with some other riders, tried to break away and shake off his pursuers while the peloton was crossing the hills of the Jura. And Michael Albasini, who launched no less than five attacks to break away from the peloton today, finished the stage in third place.

    ]]>     22485300000 Tue, 12 Jun 2012 19:38:00 +0200     Second Stage Win for Peter Sagan http://www.tourdesuisse.ch/nc/en/news/news_detail/article/second-stage-win-for-peter-sagan/ Slovakian rider Peter Sagan has won the 3rd stage of the Tour de Suisse from Martigny to Aarberg (195 km) and celebrated his second victory after winning the time trial last Saturday.  Slovakian rider Peter Sagan has won the 3rd stage of the Tour de Suisse from Martigny to Aarberg (195 km) and celebrated his second victory after winning the time trial last Saturday.  The most prominent feature today was a breakaway group of three riders that led the race for most of the route and was only caught up with and overtaken just before the finish line.

    Second Tour de Suisse Stage Win for Peter Sagan in 2012

    Slovakian rider Peter Sagan has won the 3rd stage of the Tour de Suisse from Martigny to Aarberg (195 km) and celebrated his second victory after winning the time trial last Saturday. The most prominent feature today was a breakaway group of three riders that led the race for most of the route and was only caught up with and overtaken just before the finish line.

    In the penultimate bend of this stage, Sagan almost crashed. But the rider from Slovakia saved himself miraculously, got back onto the pedals and sprinted past leader Baden Cooke on the last few meters. Cooke?s teammate Michael Albasini had set up the final sprint for his colleague in the narrow lanes of Aarberg?s old town, but Sagan turned out to be the rider with the stronger finish.

    No Changes in the Overall Rankings

    Sagan is in magnificent shape and already won the prologue of the Tour de Suisse, a time trial race in Lugano, last Saturday. Today?s victory was the tenth win of the current season for the 22 year old - amongst others, Sagan was the dominator of the Tour of California with five stage wins. Today?s results had no impact on the overall tour rankings - Portuguese rider Rui Costa is still leading 8 seconds ahead of Frank Schleck (Lux).

    The final sprint of today?s 3rd stage from Martigny to Aarberg (194,7 km) was the highlight of a very exciting and gripping day. 55 km before the finish line, the railway-crossing gates closed just before the peloton was about to cross the tracks. 14 riders, among them overall leader Rui Costa, sneaked past underneath the barrier, but the rest of the peloton had to wait until the train had gone past. After some discussions, the race judges decided to stop the 14 riders and to make them wait for the remaining riders of the peloton.

    Three Riders with the Better End

    This mishap was responsible for the fact that the three leading riders Michael Morkov (Den), Guillaume Bonnafond (Fr) and Jonas van Genechten (Be), who had been in front for 188 km, won about 2 minutes and were able to increase their advantage to eight and a half minutes. But even so they did not manage to defend this advantage until the finish line. During the final kilometer of the stage, Morkov and Bonnafond were overtaking by the peloton.

    ]]>     22465900000 Mon, 11 Jun 2012 19:28:00 +0200     Stage Win and Yellow Jersey for Rui Costa http://www.tourdesuisse.ch/nc/en/news/news_detail/article/stage-win-and-yellow-jersey-for-rui-costa-1/ Rui Costa wins the second stage of the Tour de Suisse from Verbania to Verbier. The Portuguese rider claims this stage victory 4 seconds ahead of Luxembourg's Frank Schleck and with an advantage of 12 seconds on Spanish competitor Mikel Nieve.  Costa Beats Schleck Right Before the Finish Line With today's win, Rui Costa has also taken over the lead in the overall tour rankings; with a deficit of 8 seconds, Frank Schleck is ranked second overall. Just 300 meters before the finish line, Costa snatched today's stage win away from Frank Schleck, who had launched an attack and had managed to break away from the leading group with 6 km to go. The rider from Luxembourg was able to increase his advantage to more than 30 seconds and looked like the certain winner. Schleck Great - But Not the Winner However, Schleck, who is also counted among the top favorites for the Tour de Suisse win, could not keep up this speed until the finish line in Verbier. His opponents managed to get closer and decreased their deficit continuously. In the final sprint, Schleck was not able to counter Costa's attack and had to leave the victory to the Portuguese. Frank the Best Swiss Rider Costa crossed the finish line 4 seconds ahead of Schleck. Together with the bonifications, his performance today not only secured him the stage win but also made Costa the new wearer of the yellow jersey. Costa leads the overall tour rankings 8 seconds ahead of Schleck. Spanish rider Mikel Nieve finished today's stage in third place with a deficit of 12 seconds. Mathias Frank, the first Swiss rider to reach Verbier, lost 1:26 minutes. Sagan Loses Yellow Jersey Slovakian rider Peter Sagan, today's wearer of the yellow jersey after his win at yesterday's time trial in Lugano, was not able to keep up the pace. Early on during the ascent to Verbier, he lost touch with the leading group and had to let his competitors pull away. The 3rd stage on Monday could be a first opportunity for the sprinters as the route from Martigny to Aarberg is rather flat.]]> 22442900000 Sun, 10 Jun 2012 19:14:00 +0200 Peter Sagan: First Leader of the Tour de Suisse http://www.tourdesuisse.ch/nc/en/news/news_detail/article/peter-sagan-first-leader-of-the-tour-de-suisse/ Peter Sagan is the first leader of the 76th Tour de Suisse. The rider from Slovakia wins the prologue in Lugano with an advantage of 4 seconds, Fabian Cancellara comes in second. For four consecutive years now, the Swiss contender has not been able to win the prologue and start his home race as the wearer of the yellow jersey.

    Classement 1st stage 1 21 Peter SAGAN  Liquigas-Cannondale 00:09:43.750 
    2 91 Fabian CANCELLARA  RadioShack-Nissan 00:00:04 
    3 26 Moreno MOSER  Liquigas-Cannondale 00:00:07 
    4 151 Martin ELMIGER  AG2R La mondiale 00:00:11 
    5 46 Fredrik KESSIAKOFF  Astana Pro Team 00:00:15 
    6 61 Michael ALBASINI  Orica GreenEDGE 00:00:17 
    7 3 Dario CATALDO  Omega Pharma-QuickStep 00:00:18 
    8 48 Roman KREUZIGER  Astana Pro Team 00:00:19 
    9 136 Tom Jelte SLAGTER  Rabobank Cycling Team 00:00:20 
    10 92 Jakob FUGLSANG  RadioShack-Nissan 00:00:22 
    11 33 Thomas LÖVKVIST  Sky Procycling 00:00:22 
    12 96 Maxime MONFORT  RadioShack-Nissan 00:00:23 
    13 135 Laurens TEN DAM  Rabobank Cycling Team 00:00:23 
    14 104 Marco MARCATO  Vacansoleil - DCM Procycling Team 00:00:23 
    15 66 Cameron MEYER  Orica GreenEDGE 00:00:23 
    16 87 Stephen CUMMINGS  BMC Racing Team 00:00:24 
    17 83 Brent BOOKWALTER  BMC Racing Team 00:00:24 
    18 107 Wouter POELS  Vacansoleil - DCM Procycling Team 00:00:25 
    19 8 Peter VELITS  Omega Pharma-QuickStep 00:00:25 
    20 113 Gorka IZAGIRRE  Euskaltel - Euskadi 00:00:25 
    21 95 Andreas KLÖDEN  RadioShack-Nissan 00:00:25 
    22 6 Niki TERPSTRA  Omega Pharma-QuickStep 00:00:27 
    23 121 Alejandro VALVERDE  Movistar Team 00:00:31 
    24 181 Rubens BERTOGLIATI  Team Type 1 - Sanofi 00:00:31 
    25 158 Nicolas ROCHE  AG2R La mondiale 00:00:31 
    26 131 Robert GESINK  Rabobank Cycling Team 00:00:31 
    27 165 Thibaut PINOT  FDJ-BigMat 00:00:32 
    28 123 José Ivan GUTIERREZ  Movistar Team 00:00:33 
    29 51 Tom DANIELSON  Garmin-Barracuda 00:00:33 
    30 185 Julien EL FARES  Team Type 1 - Sanofi 00:00:33 
    31 43 Tanel KANGERT  Astana Pro Team 00:00:33 
    32 27 Daniel OSS  Liquigas-Cannondale 00:00:34 
    33 154 John GADRET  AG2R La mondiale 00:00:34 
    34 143 Bart DE CLERCQ  Lotto-Belisol Team 00:00:35 
    35 188 Georg PREIDLER  Team Type 1 - Sanofi 00:00:35 
    36 81 Mathias FRANK  BMC Racing Team 00:00:35 
    37 47 Robert KISERLOVSKI  Astana Pro Team 00:00:36 
    38 45 Dmitriy MURAVYEV  Astana Pro Team 00:00:36 
    39 173 Christopher JUUL JENSEN  Team Saxo bank 00:00:36 
    40 134 Bauke MOLLEMA  Rabobank Cycling Team 00:00:36 
    41 71 Damiano CUNEGO  Lampre - ISD 00:00:36 
    42 124 Jesus HERRADA  Movistar Team 00:00:36 
    43 65 Sebastian LANGEVELD  Orica GreenEDGE 00:00:36 
    44 98 Frank SCHLECK  RadioShack-Nissan 00:00:36 
    45 122 Rui Alberto FARIA DA COSTA  Movistar Team 00:00:36 
    46 93 Linus GERDEMANN  RadioShack-Nissan 00:00:38 
    47 38 Xabier ZANDIO  Sky Procycling 00:00:38 
    48 127 Marzio BRUSEGHIN  Movistar Team 00:00:38 
    49 141 Gaetan BILLE  Lotto-Belisol Team 00:00:38 
    50 34 Lars-Petter NORDHAUG  Sky Procycling 00:00:39 
    51 85 Martin KOHLER  BMC Racing Team 00:00:39 
    52 31 Michael BARRY  Sky Procycling 00:00:39 
    53 133 Steven KRUIJSWIJK  Rabobank Cycling Team 00:00:40 
    54 22 Stefano AGOSTINI  Liquigas-Cannondale 00:00:40 
    55 126 Ignatas KONOVALOVAS  Movistar Team 00:00:41 
    56 5 Zdenek STYBAR  Omega Pharma-QuickStep 00:00:41 
    57 1 Levi LEIPHEIMER  Omega Pharma-QuickStep 00:00:41 
    58 13 Vladimir GUSEV  Katusha Team 00:00:41 
    59 112 Mikel ASTARLOZA  Euskaltel - Euskadi 00:00:41 
    60 101 Kris BOECKMANS  Vacansoleil - DCM Procycling Team 00:00:42 
    61 67 Stuart O'GRADY  Orica GreenEDGE 00:00:42 
    62 125 Vladimir KARPETS  Movistar Team 00:00:42 
    63 176 Sergio Miguel Moreira PAULINHO  Team Saxo bank 00:00:42 
    64 186 Remi CUSIN  Team Type 1 - Sanofi 00:00:42 
    65 44 Francesco GAVAZZI  Astana Pro Team 00:00:43 
    66 167 Jérémy ROY  FDJ-BigMat 00:00:43 
    67 171 Nick NUYENS  Team Saxo bank 00:00:44 
    68 23 Tiziano DALL'ANTONIA  Liquigas-Cannondale 00:00:44 
    69 128 Jose Joaquin ROJAS  Movistar Team 00:00:44 
    70 114 Mikel NIEVE  Euskaltel - Euskadi 00:00:44 
    71 178 Troels Rønning VINTHER  Team Saxo bank 00:00:45 
    72 187 Javier MEGIAS  Team Type 1 - Sanofi 00:00:45 
    73 145 Vicente REYNES  Lotto-Belisol Team 00:00:45 
    74 152 Julien BÉRARD  AG2R La mondiale 00:00:46 
    75 137 Grischa NIERMANN  Rabobank Cycling Team 00:00:47 
    76 55 Alex HOWES  Garmin-Barracuda 00:00:48 
    77 175 Karsten KROON  Team Saxo bank 00:00:48 
    78 88 Greg VAN AVERMAET  BMC Racing Team 00:00:49 
    79 157 Matteo MONTAGUTI  AG2R La mondiale 00:00:49 
    80 54 Heinrich HAUSSLER  Garmin-Barracuda 00:00:49 
    81 94 Laurent DIDIER  RadioShack-Nissan 00:00:49 
    82 42 Assan BAZAYEV  Astana Pro Team 00:00:50 
    83 108 Rafael VALLS FERRI  Vacansoleil - DCM Procycling Team 00:00:50 
    84 35 Salvatore PUCCIO  Sky Procycling 00:00:50 
    85 62 Baden COOKE  Orica GreenEDGE 00:00:50 
    86 177 Chris SÖRENSEN  Team Saxo bank 00:00:50 
    87 172 Volodymir GUSTOV  Team Saxo bank 00:00:51 
    88 174 Michael MORKOV  Team Saxo bank 00:00:51 
    89 156 Lloyd MONDORY  AG2R La mondiale 00:00:51 
    90 198 Brian VANDBORG BACH  Spidertech Powered by C10 00:00:52 
    91 132 Matti BRESCHEL  Rabobank Cycling Team 00:00:52 
    92 52 Thomas DEKKER  Garmin-Barracuda 00:00:53 
    93 111 Igor ANTON  Euskaltel - Euskadi 00:00:53 
    94 18 Simon SPILAK  Katusha Team 00:00:53 
    95 12 Giampaolo CARUSO  Katusha Team 00:00:54 
    96 57 Johan VAN SUMMEREN  Garmin-Barracuda 00:00:54 
    97 36 Luke ROWE  Sky Procycling 00:00:55 
    98 25 Edward KING  Liquigas-Cannondale 00:00:55 
    99 76 Alessandro PETACCHI  Lampre - ISD 00:00:55 
    100 117 Pablo URTASUN  Euskaltel - Euskadi 00:00:55 
    101 11 Oscar FREIRE  Katusha Team 00:00:55 
    102 74 Danilo HONDO  Lampre - ISD 00:00:56 
    103 191 Raymond KUNZLI  Spidertech Powered by C10 00:00:56 
    104 84 Marcus BURGHARDT  BMC Racing Team 00:00:56 
    105 103 Sergey LAGUTIN  Vacansoleil - DCM Procycling Team 00:00:56 
    106 116 Romain SICARD  Euskaltel - Euskadi 00:00:57 
    107 24 Timothy DUGGAN  Liquigas-Cannondale 00:00:57 
    108 17 Alexandr KOLOBNEV  Katusha Team 00:00:57 
    109 15 Vladimir ISAYCHEV  Katusha Team 00:00:57 
    110 14 Joan HORRACH  Katusha Team 00:00:58 
    111 58 Fabian WEGMANN  Garmin-Barracuda 00:00:58 
    112 155 Sébastien MINARD  AG2R La mondiale 00:00:58 
    113 56 Thomas PETERSON  Garmin-Barracuda 00:00:59 
    114 138 Maarten WYNANTS  Rabobank Cycling Team 00:01:00 
    115 161 David BOUCHER  FDJ-BigMat 00:01:03 
    116 142 Sander CORDEEL  Lotto-Belisol Team 00:01:03 
    117 28 Elia VIVIANI  Liquigas-Cannondale 00:01:03 
    118 53 Tyler FARRAR  Garmin-Barracuda 00:01:04 
    119 162 William BONNET  FDJ-BigMat 00:01:04 
    120 166 Anthony GESLIN  FDJ-BigMat 00:01:04 
    121 182 Alessandro BAZZANA  Team Type 1 - Sanofi 00:01:05 
    122 105 Martin MORTENSEN  Vacansoleil - DCM Procycling Team 00:01:06 
    123 144 Olivier KAISEN  Lotto-Belisol Team 00:01:06 
    124 97 Gregory RAST  RadioShack-Nissan 00:01:07 
    125 184 Alexander EFIMKIN  Team Type 1 - Sanofi 00:01:07 
    126 32 Mathew HAYMAN  Sky Procycling 00:01:07 
    127 146 Frederique ROBERT  Lotto-Belisol Team 00:01:07 
    128 106 Nikita NOVIKOV  Vacansoleil - DCM Procycling Team 00:01:08 
    129 168 Cédric PINEAU  FDJ-BigMat 00:01:08 
    130 2 Tom BOONEN  Omega Pharma-QuickStep 00:01:08 
    131 86 Klaas LODEWYCK  BMC Racing Team 00:01:08 
    132 102 Johnny HOOGERLAND  Vacansoleil - DCM Procycling Team 00:01:09 
    133 115 Ruben PEREZ  Euskaltel - Euskadi 00:01:10 
    134 195 Lucas EUSER  Spidertech Powered by C10 00:01:10 
    135 37 Ben SWIFT  Sky Procycling 00:01:11 
    136 7 Matteo TRENTIN  Omega Pharma-QuickStep 00:01:12 
    137 77 Morris POSSONI  Lampre - ISD 00:01:12 
    138 75 Manuele MORI  Lampre - ISD 00:01:13 
    139 118 Ivan VELASCO  Euskaltel - Euskadi 00:01:13 
    140 148 Jonas VANGENECHTEN  Lotto-Belisol Team 00:01:13 
    141 16 Luca PAOLINI  Katusha Team 00:01:14 
    142 64 Aidis KRUOPIS  Orica GreenEDGE 00:01:14 
    143 163 Steve CHAINEL  FDJ-BigMat 00:01:14 
    144 41 Jacopo GUARNIERI  Astana Pro Team 00:01:15 
    145 78 Davide VIGANO  Lampre - ISD 00:01:15 
    146 194 Guillaume BOIVIN  Spidertech Powered by C10 00:01:17 
    147 193 David BOILY  Spidertech Powered by C10 00:01:17 
    148 183 Daniele COLLI  Team Type 1 - Sanofi 00:01:18 
    149 192 Ryan ANDERSON  Spidertech Powered by C10 00:01:19 
    150 63 Allan DAVIS  Orica GreenEDGE 00:01:20 
    151 4 Gert STEEGMANS  Omega Pharma-QuickStep 00:01:20 
    152 73 Grega BOLE  Lampre - ISD 00:01:20 
    153 82 Adam BLYTHE  BMC Racing Team 00:01:22 
    154 68 Matt WILSON  Orica GreenEDGE 00:01:26 
    155 147 Mehdi SOHRABI  Lotto-Belisol Team 00:01:27 
    156 72 Leonardo BERTAGNOLLI  Lampre - ISD 00:01:29 
    157 153 Guillaume BONNAFOND  AG2R La mondiale 00:01:31 
    158 164 Yauheni HUTAROVICH  FDJ-BigMat 00:01:32 
    159 196 Caleb FAIRLY  Spidertech Powered by C10 00:01:40 
    160 197 William ROUTLEY  Spidertech Powered by C10 00:01:50 ]]>     22421600000 Sat, 09 Jun 2012 19:02:00 +0200     LIVE-Ticker: be updated about the Tour de Suisse! http://www.tourdesuisse.ch/nc/en/news/news_detail/article/mit-dem-live-ticker-hautnah-dabei-sein-bei-der-tour-de-suisse/ With the LIVE-Ticker you can follow the Tour de Suisse, also with your mobile.Furthermore there are information available like the profile of the stage. Follow here:http://www.tourdesuisse.ch/en/live/news_ticker/
    Furthermore there are information available like the profile of the stage. Follow here:
    http://www.tourdesuisse.ch/en/live/news_ticker/]]>     Sat, 09 Jun 2012 13:30:00 +0200     Exciting time trial in Lugano as start of the Tour de Suisse 2012 http://www.tourdesuisse.ch/nc/en/news/news_detail/article/spannendes-zeitfahren-in-lugano-zum-auftakt/ The 76th edition of the Tour de Suisse starts with a Prolog in Lugano. On a distance of 7.3km the riders have to show their time trial qualities.Fabian Cancellara is one of the favorites but how will he perform after his injury. The Prolog starts at 14h26 with no. 197, ROUTLEY William.The whole starter list you find here:Starter list Prolog On a distance of 7.3km the riders have to show their time trial qualities.

    Fabian Cancellara is one of the favorites but how will he perform after his injury.   The Prolog starts at 14h26 with no. 197, ROUTLEY William.

    The whole starter list you find here:
    Starter list Prolog]]>     Fri, 08 Jun 2012 22:28:00 +0200     Riders announced for the Tour de Suisse 2012: And many Top-Stars will participate http://www.tourdesuisse.ch/nc/en/news/news_detail/article/fahrerfeld-nun-fix-top-stars-am-start-der-tour-de-suisse-2012/ The names of the riders who will participate at the Tour de Suisse 2012 were annouced today. After the meeting with the teams and the UCI it`s clear that at the Tour de Suisse 2012 will start again different top stars. An overview you find here: Final riders list - Tour de Suisse 2012
    After the meeting with the teams and the UCI it`s clear that at the Tour de Suisse 2012 will start again different top stars. 

    An overview you find here:  Final riders list - Tour de Suisse 2012]]>     Fri, 08 Jun 2012 16:26:00 +0200