Stage 2 of the Tour de Suisse Women ended in an impressive solo victory for Dutch rider Amber Kraak (FDJ-Suez). Marlen Reusser (Movistar Team) defended the yellow leader’s jersey with a strong sprint to the finish against her main rival Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez).
The 162 kilometre stage from Gstaad to Oberkirch featured a demanding profile with over 2,400 metres of elevation gain. A four-strong breakaway made up of Amber Kraak, Eleonora Ciabocco (Team Picnic PostNL), Marta Lach (Team SD Worx – Protime) and Carina Schrempf (Fenix-Deceuninck) took an early lead, stretching out to over five minutes at times.
With the gap so great, Demi Vollering’s helper Amber Kraak was given the go-ahead by her team to take the stage win herself. The 30-year-old Dutch pro did just that with a courageous attack on the climb to Buechehübeli. She left the other three riders in her wake and rode solo to the finish in Oberkirch with a lead of almost two minutes. With this victory Kraak secured the biggest success of her career to date.
Marlen Reusser still in control
All eyes were on the duo of Reusser and Vollering in the General Classification. Both remained close together in the peloton until Vollering tried to gain a few seconds on Marlen Reusser 400 metres before the finish. However the Swiss rider showed her strength giving last year’s winner another sprint lesson. With this Reusser defends her position at the top with a lead of four seconds.
With a gap of 1:55 minutes, Marta Lach finished second behind the impressive winner. The battle for third place erupted over the final metres. Élise Chabbey (FDJ-Suez) took the honours, ensuring that a Swiss rider was once again on the podium on the second stage of the Tour de Suisse Women. This podium finish moves Chabbey to fourth place in the General Classification.
