It didn't take long for the best riders to rise to the fore at the opening stage of the Tour de Suisse. Only six riders remained when the race crested the top of a category two climb early in the stage, and only two from that group rode to the line together. Marlen Reusser outsprinted Demi Vollering to take a statement victory ahead of her chief rival as the two prepare to take on the Tour de France Femmes in late July, while the group behind was comprised of more potential players at the premiere event.
The four-day event in Switzerland is the perfect gauge for top Tour contenders. With six weeks to go until the big dance, it is how riders determine where their form is and what work still needs to be done. It was a short opening stage, only 95 km, but it was enough to hint at who would feature in the upcoming Giro d'Italia and Tour de France.
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