Monday’s stage 2 of Tour de Suisse 2023 was a 173.7-kilometer ride from Beromünster to Nottwil, located near Sempachersee. The route was in hilly terrain and featured three Category 3 climbs. Stefan Küng started the stage as leader of the general classification following his victory in yesterday’s stage 1 individual time trial.

The first part of the stage was dominated by a two-man breakaway that featured Nickolas Zukowsky (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) and Swiss rider Michael Schär (AG2R-Citroen) who is riding on home turf and has announced he will retire from professional cycling at the end of the 2023 season. The duo built a lead of nearly five minutes, but with thirty kilometers left their lead had been reduced to approximately a minute.

The peloton was spearheaded by Jumbo-Visma, Ineos-Grenadiers and Soudal-QuickStep who were working hard to reel in the breakaway duo to provide their sprinters with a golden opportunity for a stage victory. Zukowsky and then Schär were caught, and the mission was accomplished. 

With five kilometers left of stage 2, Groupama-FDJ were leading the peloton and setting a fast pace in support of their race leader Küng. Later, Jayco-Alula, Trek-Segafredo and Ineos-Grenadiers joined the front, and some teams formed their sprint trains, while other teams were working hard to protect their general classification hopefuls.

Jumbo-Visma’s Wout Van Aert launched a long and powerful sprint, but he was overtaken by Biniam Girmay (Intermarche-Circus-Wanty) who was first across the finish line. Arnaud Demare managed to pass Van Aert shortly before the finish line to take second, while Van Aert completed the stage podium.

Tomorrow’s stage 3 of Tour de Suisse will be a 143.8-kilometer mountainous ride from Tafers to Villars-sur-Ollon. The route will feature the Category 1 Col de Mosses and conclude on the Category 1 Villars-sur-Ollon.

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