The Swiss sun was beating down on the peloton this afternoon as they tackled a 190 kilometre route from Grenchen to Brunnen, with a tricky climb in the finale the focal point of the day. As the bunch rolled out from the start there was a sense in the air the breakaway could fight for the stage so an infernal pace was set at the beginning of the day but after 20 kilometres a three rider move had gone clear and things settled.

With the Team DSM riders in the bunch, focus remained on riding well together towards the final climb. The breakaway built up a solid advantage but the peloton was always in control and on the lower slopes of the ascent with 20 kilometres to go the race was all back together. A strong pace was set on the climb with the bunch thinning out over the top, where Andreas Leknessund and Søren Kragh Andersen made the reduced peloton, before Nikias Arndt rejoined on the run in to the line.

On the technical and twisting finale, Leknessund tried to position Kragh Andersen for the sprint but the speed in the bunch was high and it was difficult to move forward. Starting his sprint from around tenth wheel, Kragh Andersen produced a good turn of speed, passing several riders to take a strong third place at the finish.

“It was a really good day for the team,” explained Kragh Andersen. “We fought really well together and stayed with each other throughout the stage, with Andreas and I in the group over the top. I’m happy to give a podium spot back to the team in the sprint and we’re looking forward to the next days.”

Team DSM coach Phil West added: “It was another interesting day. We had a view that the final could work out in several ways so we had options where Søren and Andreas would pay attention to attacks on the final climb and we would see if Nikias could possibly pass in the front group. Generally we wanted to continue with the good teamwork we’ve had here in the last few days. We were attentive at the start to make sure the right break went and then focused on fuelling and keeping cool in the heat. Unfortunately, Cees punctured at a critical point in the lead up to the climb so we missed his power there but the guys rallied in a really good way and we came into it in a good position where Søren and Andreas could pass it in the front of the race. Nikias also came back on the descent but it was really at the last moment so he continued to do a good finish but ahead Søren did a great sprint to take third. It was another good day for the team.”