After the opening time trial in Einsiedeln, on day two, the peloton sets off on what should be - at least by Swiss standards - a relatively flat stage. Is this a great opportunity for riders such as Tim Merlier? IDLProCyling.com will try to figure it out!
Course stage 2 Tour of Switzerland 2023
This 173-kilometer stage should favor the fastest guys. But we're in Switzerland, so you always encounter some elevation gain. Monday's stage includes about 1,900 meters of climbing, most of which will be tackled in the first half of the race.
Between the starting point in Beromünster and the finish in Notwill, there is only a twelve-kilometer distance as the crow flies. Nevertheless, the organizers have managed to make it a considerably longer stage. After the start, there will be a fairly smooth uphill run, then about twenty kilometers in, the first categorized climb (Chommie, three kilometers at 5.1 percent) awaits.
It's possible that a strong group of breakaway riders could escape in this phase, but it's more likely that several sprinters' teams will tightly control the race here. Indeed, this is one of the few chances - if not the only chance - for the guys with the fastest legs.
The finale towards Notwill, located slightly north of the city of Lucerne, doesn't pose too many difficulties. Along the Sempachersee, the peloton heads toward the finish line via a long straight line of more than five kilometers. No roundabouts, no obstacles - this is sprinting as it should be (although even then it can still be dangerous).
The last roundabout, just over five kilometers from the finish.
Times
Start: 1:09 p.m.
Finish: approximately 5:20 p.m.
Weather stage 2 Tour of Switzerland 2023
The weather in Switzerland is also simply beautiful these days. It may not be as warm as in Western Europe, but with a temperature of 26 degrees Celsius, the beaches along the Sempachersee will likely be crowded on Monday as the Tour of Switzerland arrives.
Favorites stage 2 Tour of Switzerland 2023
"This stage should actually belong to the sprinters," concluded race director David Loosli. The riders participating in the Tour of Switzerland also point in that direction since this is usually the chance for the fast riders to claim a stage victory. And there are certainly enough of them to keep the peloton together on Monday.
In terms of pure speed, Tim Merlier is probably the fastest man in this Tour of Switzerland. The Belgian rider, supported by the likes of Bert Van Lerberghe, Kasper Asgreen and Mauro Schmid in his Soudal Quick-Step team, has the necessary horsepower to make it a battle among the sprinters.
However, Merlier is not the only Belgian with a fast sprinting pedigree. Jumbo-Visma is going all out with Wout van Aert on Monday, while Jordi Meeus from BORA-hansgrohe also aims for a victory at the highest level. Meeus has already finished among the top three in a sprint ten (!) times this year!
French teams Groupama-FDJ (Arnaud Démare), Arkéa Samsic (Luca Mozzato and Dan McLay), AG2R Citroën (Clément Venturini) and Cofidis (Bryan Coquard) will also eagerly anticipate a battle among the sprinters, while Alpecin-Deceuninck, bringing Kaden Groves, has someone who proved in the Giro that he can compete with anyone, provided that he is having a good day.
After a disappointing spring, due to special circumstances, Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty) and Peter Sagan (TotalEnergies) are also here as part of their preparation for the Tour de France. We consider them outsiders for this finish, along with Marius Mayrhofer (DSM), Edward Theuns (Trek-Segafredo), Iván Garcia Cortina (Movistar) and Nikias Arndt (Bahrain Victorious).
Favorites stage 2 Tour of Switzerland, according to IDLProCycling.com
Top favorites: Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) and Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma)
Outsiders: Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Arnaud Démare (Groupama-FDJ) and Jordi Meeus (BORA-hansgrohe)
Longshots: Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty), Peter Sagan (TotalEnergies), Bryan Coquard (Cofidis), Marius Mayrhofer (Team DSM), Luca Mozzato (Arkéa Samsic) and Iván Garcia Cortina (Movistar)
Tom van der Salm (Twitter: @TomvanderSalm)
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