Race Report: Tour de Suisse Women 2024, Stage 1
Demi Vollering proves that she is the best of the best uphill and wins the 15,7km Individual Time Trial as the second stage in the Tour de Suisse 2024. Italian Elisa Longo Borghini also had a great time trial finishing second just ahead of New Zealander Kim Cadzow. Vollering remains leader in the General Classification.
The second stage of the Tour de Suisse Women 2024 was an uphill individual time trial (ITT) from Aigle to Villars-sur-Ollon. Spanning 15.7km, this stage was not just about time trial power but also climbing prowess, with the course starting at 400 meters and finishing at 1200 meters. The day saw an exciting battle against the clock, featuring some of the top time trialists and climbers in the women’s peloton.
Early Starters and Intermediate Checks
The first rider, Mohinabonu Elmurodova (Tashkent City Women Professional Cycling Team), left the start ramp at 10:05 am. The early parts of the race were marked by steady times as riders navigated the flat sections before tackling the climb. At the first intermediate check (5.2km), Larissa Tschenett of Team Switzerland set a competitive time of 7’37”.
Elizabeth Holden (UAE Team ADQ), a strong time trialist known for her victory at the British national ITT, soon eclipsed Tschenett’s time, clocking in 20 seconds faster. This set the tone for other contenders, with riders aiming to better her splits at both intermediate checks and the finish.
As the race progressed, Christina Schweinberger (Fenix-Deceuninck) set the fastest time at the first intermediate check, followed closely by Mischa Bredewold (SD Worx-Protime), who was 10 seconds faster. However, the second intermediate check (12.5km) saw significant changes in the leaderboard. Kristen Faulkner (EF Education-Cannondale) surpassed Holden’s time at the second check and continued to build on her lead.
Mid-Race Developments
The middle part of the ITT saw several riders switching from their TT bikes to road bikes to better handle the climb. Anna Kiesenhofer (Ceratizit-WNT), known for her Olympic gold medal in the road race, opted to stay on her TT bike, a decision that saw her lose time on the climb.
Brodie Chapman (Lidl-Trek) and Amanda Spratt (Lidl-Trek) also posted competitive times at the intermediate checks. Chapman briefly held the fastest time with 41’11”, only to be surpassed by Katarzyna Niewiadoma (Canyon//SRAM Racing), who finished in 40’48”, highlighting her climbing abilities.
The Final Contenders
The final part of the race saw the top contenders take to the course. Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek), a formidable climber and time trialist, set a blistering pace. At the second intermediate time check, she was 19 seconds faster than the previous best, setting herself up for a strong finish.
Gaia Realini (Lidl-Trek) and Elise Chabbey (Canyon//SRAM Racing) were also among the last to start. Realini overtook Chabbey during the climb, demonstrating her superior climbing form. Realini eventually finished fifth with a time of 40’49”.
Demi Vollering’s Dominance
Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime), the last rider to start and the overall race leader, was under pressure to maintain her lead. Despite being 17 seconds slower than the fastest time at the first intermediate check, Vollering’s experience and climbing strength became apparent in the latter half of the race. She overtook several competitors’ times and powered through the final climb, finishing in a spectacular 39’47”. This time not only won her the stage but also solidified her position as the leader in the General Classification.
Final Standings and GC Implications
The stage ended with Demi Vollering taking the victory, followed by Elisa Longo Borghini in second place with a time of 40’05”. Kim Cadzow (EF Education-Cannondale) rounded out the top three with 40’13”. These results shook up the General Classification, with Vollering retaining the yellow jersey, Longo Borghini moving into second place overall, and Realini holding onto third.
This ITT stage showcased the riders’ versatility and strategic thinking, particularly in bike handling and pacing over mixed terrain. Vollering’s exceptional performance, particularly her second-half surge, showed her time trialing and climbing skills, making her a formidable contender for the remaining stages and upcoming big races like the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.
As the Tour de Suisse Women progresses, the GC battle is set. With two more stages to go, including a challenging road stage from Vevey to Champagne and another from Champagne to Champagne, the race remains open. Riders like Longo Borghini and Realini will undoubtedly aim to challenge Vollering’s lead, making for an exciting continuation of the race.
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