08 June 2013
IAM Cycling
The wind befuddled any pre-race projections in this first stage of the Tour of Switzerland, which was won by Cameron Meyer (Orica GreenEdge).
Along an 8.1 kilometer track which used part of the airstrip at Quinto, the weather upset everyones plans; IAM Cycling did not come away unscathed.
Reto Hollensteins early start time of 1:49 pm meant he was intended to set an early reference time.
I really gave it my all on what was a really fast course where the wind was favorable at the start and then a head wind for the finish. I never imagined I would be finishing in the top 10 of the stage especially looking at the level of riders at the race. But the weather is accountable for the situation.
Finishing an excellent 6th, the man from the Thurgau Canton ceded only a few seconds to teammate Heinrich Haussler, who finished an unexpected 3rd place. The puncheur and winner of the final stage of the Tour of Bavaria was pleased to grab a podium spot, and will wear the best climbers jersey on Sunday despite having contracted a cold last week.
On the first kilometer, the wind was favorable and I held back a little. Then when the wind was full in my face, I really gave it everything that I had in my legs.
The day went less well for Thomas Löfkvist and Marcel Wyss on account of the increasingly violent wind as the day wore on.
Marcel Wyss even suffered a crash within the last kilometer of the course when approaching a very tricky corner.
At the end of a turn, my front wheel caught air after hitting a small bump. Just then a gust of wind pushed my front wheel out from under me, and there was little I could do to prevent going down.
Though initially on a strong time, Wyss ended up finishing only 135th 107 behind the winner; the on-form man from Bern suffered bruises on the entire right side of his back and hips.
For the moment, however, his presence at the start of the second stage in Ulrichen is not in doubt.
IAM Cycling results on the Tour de Suisse Prologue
