Daryl Impey Makes Stunning Comeback with Victory in Switzerland
Daryl Impey showcased his resilience and sprinting prowess as he claimed a remarkable victory on stage four of the Tour de Suisse. Despite a challenging year marred by injuries and setbacks, Impey executed a flawless sprint to cross the finish line first, solidifying his return to form in the prestigious race.
Reflecting on his win, Impey humorously remarked, “I needed that. I may be old but I’ve still got it.” The 37-year-old cyclist endured a difficult journey after suffering a collarbone and pelvis fracture in a crash during the 2021 Ruta del Sol, requiring him to relearn how to walk.
Impey’s long-awaited victory was even more meaningful considering his recent struggles. He chose not to celebrate prematurely, explaining, “I saw a flash of blue to my left and didn’t want to take my hands off the bars to celebrate.”
Expressing his joy, Impey said, “My last victory was a long time ago when I think about it. The team has gone through a bit of a rough patch this year with sickness and trying to get points so to get the victory today in such a prestigious race is good motivation for us and hopefully it is a start of good things to come.”
Stage four of the Tour de Suisse featured challenging elevation but ultimately ended with a bunch sprint in Brunnen. Impey strategically positioned himself and executed a well-timed sprint to secure the win. Commenting on his approach, he said, “I was kind of staying on Bettiol’s wheel and then a couple of guys jumped in front in the last corner and I actually thought I was out of position. But on a long straight like that I just thought I would chance it and hopefully it would open up. I saw the left-hand open up with 300 meters to go and I took my chance and had the legs to go to the end.”
Impey’s victory is a significant milestone for him, given the challenges he has faced since his pelvis fracture. He reflected, “It’s a huge moment for me because I have come through so many difficulties since the crash last year when I broke my pelvis. The last couple of days I have been chickening out in the sprints and putting the brakes on and not being involved. Today, to have the confidence to go for the victory again was already a huge thing for me but to pull off the win is massive so I’m really stoked about that.”
The win serves as a boost of motivation for Impey’s team, IPT, as they shift their focus to the General Classification with Jakob Fuglsang. Sports Director Nicki Sørensen expressed his joy, stating, “Daryl’s win today was really incredible to see. It really was a comeback after such a difficult year for him and to see him return to confidence is fantastic. For the team, this is a great win and especially here, where we are going for the GC with Jakob Fuglsang, it gives us even more motivation and also takes the pressure off a bit. It was a really emotional win for a lot of us, and we couldn’t be happier for Daryl.”
Impey’s victory not only marks his first win in IPT colors but also represents the 30th win of his career. It serves as a testament to his determination and resilience in the face of adversity.
