De Vries fourteenth in tough opening stage of Tour de Suisse
The Swiss stage race started with a short but tough mountain stage. The peloton left Villars-sur-Ollon for 58 kilometres of racing. It was climbing from the start. Elise Chabbey was the first attacker of the day on the Col de la Croix. The Swiss rider was eventually caught on the final climb by later stage winner Vollering. On the final climb to Villars-sur-Ollon, De Vries and Van Empel made a good impression for a long time, but the Team Visma | Lease a Bike duo eventually had to let go of the group of favourites. De Vries, who joined to the Dutch WorldTour formation last week, finished 14th.
“I enjoy discovering races like this”
Femke de Vries
“I’m glad it went so well,” the 30-year-old Dutch rider said afterwards. “I didn’t expect a result like this beforehand. On the first climb it went pretty quiet. When Chabbey accelerated towards the top, I decided to search for my own pace. I didn’t want to overdo myself. The peloton split a bit, but on the descent everything came together again. When Vollering accelerated on the final climb, it was important for me to follow as long as possible. I am very satisfied to finish 14th straight away. I enjoy discovering races like this.”
Sports director Jan Boven also reflects. “In hindsight, we got the most out of it. On the final climb it became a true elimination race. We started here with a young group. With Femke we have a newcomer who is still getting to know herself every day. We as a team are also getting a better idea of her qualities. This performance was already good. She confirms what she already showed in the Tour of Catalonia last week.”
Tour de Suisse Women
Stage 1
Result
Rankings
Result
1
Demi Vollering
Team SD Worx – Protime
01:47:10
2
Gaia Realini
Lidl – Trek
+00:00:22
3
Elise Chabbey
Canyon//SRAM Racing
+00:00:46
14
Femke de Vries
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:01:48
19
Fem van Empel
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:02:31
33
Rosita Reijnhout
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:04:33
37
Sophie von Berswordt
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:05:03
55
Carlijn Achtereekte
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:09:15
63
Margaux Vigie
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:10:44
Rankings
1
Demi Vollering
Team SD Worx – Protime
01:47:00
2
Gaia Realini
Lidl – Trek
+00:00:26
3
Elise Chabbey
Canyon//SRAM Racing
+00:00:49
14
Femke de Vries
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:01:58
19
Fem van Empel
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:02:41
33
Rosita Reijnhout
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:04:43
37
Sophie von Berswordt
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:05:13
55
Carlijn Achtereekte
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:09:25
63
Margaux Vigie
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
+00:10:54
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Subjects
Cycling – Women’s Team
Femke de Vries
Jan Boven
1
