Kristen Faulkner wins the time trial in Vaduz and takes the gold jersey from Lucinda Brand. The American surprised herself but is looking forward to making her bid for the General Classification. Jolanda Neff was the best Swiss in sixth place.

“I still can’t really believe it,” Kristen Faulkner beamed at the finish line. “I knew I was strong, but I didn’t think I would be this fast. After all, I’ve done virtually no training on a time trial bike in the past few months.” Faulkner started slowly in the race but turned up the pace so much towards the end that no one could match her. “I’m enjoying my time in the gold jersey for now of course but I’m aware that there are still some mountains to conquer in the next two days. But I’m not that bad on the mountains either. It will be exciting for me.”

How the race unfolded

The race did not start in reverse order of the General Classification. This decision was made by the sport directors so that the riders would not benefit from their teammates. Jolanda Neff in 7th place started early in the race and took the lead on her arrival. Her time was successfully attacked by Kristen Faulkner. The American also stayed on the hot seat as the General Classification’s leading three crossed the finish line. Lucinda Brand, in the gold jersey, finished a strong fourth but still had to surrender the jersey with a deficit of four seconds to Faulkner. Jolanda Neff finished strongly in sixth place, a position she also holds in the General Classification (1:28 minutes behind).

Photos: Buchli Photography/Sam Buchli

Preview of the third Stage

Day 3 of the Tour de Suisse Women takes the riders first down the Rhine valley to Oberriet and then up to Gais, the main hurdle of the day. Then it’s back over the St. Lutzisteig, which we already know from the men’s race, to Chur, and the stage finish. Sprinters who are strong in the mountains will be looking to claim the day’s victory.