Stage 1 favorites Tour of Switzerland 2024 | De Lie in a chaotic sprint or Hirschi with a breakaway?

The day after Yves Lampaert clinched the victory in the prologue, the Tour of Switzerland kicks off from Liechtenstein. With a route that can be described as tough and hilly, we are in for a day that could go any direction. Will any sprinters survive all the climbs? Or will an attacker successfully hunt down the stage win and the yellow jersey? IDLProCycling.com previews the action!

Course stage 1 Tour of Switzerland 2024

Monday's stage bears some resemblance to an Ardennes classic. The 177-kilometer route starts off relatively flat, then transitions into a true all-rounder’s course. The Kerenzerberg and the Ricken, while not super steep, are annoyingly long, likely causing lactic acid build-up twice. This is followed by a rolling section, featuring some ups and downs and several nasty climbs.

In the final phase, just before the finish in Regensdorf, lies the equally named Regenberg. This climb is an ideal spot for a late attack, potentially outmaneuvering any remaining sprinters. The question is whether the climb will be tough enough and whether the control by the sprinters' teams will be tight enough. Otherwise, this climb could be a paradise for punchers! After the summit, there’s a little less than ten kilometers to go, half of which is downhill and the other half flat. Who wants it, who can do it?

Climbs
42.1 km: Kerenzerberg (5.8 km at 5.0%)
74.3 km: Ricken (6.1 km at 6.0%)
167.1 km: Regenberg (3.5 km at 6.0%)

Times
Start: 12:45 PM
Finish: 5:00 PM

Weather for Stage 1 Tour of Switzerland 2024

In the finish town of Regensdorf on Monday, the weather is set to be particularly pleasant for racing. Temperatures will hover around twenty degrees Celsius, with a weak sun likely shining not so brightly and a westerly wind aiding the riders along the way. It's perfect spring weather!

Favorites stage 1 Tour of Switzerland 2024

Switzerland is always teeming with top riders and punchers, which makes predicting Monday’s stage both difficult and easy at the same time. We see two potential scenarios for the stage. First, a possibility that the sprinters get a chance. However, the stage might be too tough for riders like Mark Cavendish and Arnaud Démare. We do jot down Marijn van den Berg, who performed well in the prologue. Arnaud De Lie, in good form, also stands a chance, though it remains to be seen how he holds up in his current form.

Bryan Coquard could play a role for Cofidis, and both Jordi Meeus and Tobias Lund Andresen should be able to handle the Regenberg climb. But what if there’s a lack of control from the sprinters’ teams? Then this stage becomes one for the all-rounders. The exceptionally strong squad of UAE Team Emirates then has Marc Hirschi, Isaac Del Toro, and white jersey wearer Finn Fisher-Black as major contenders.

However, the trio from the Emirates team faces significant competition. Consider Richard Carapaz for one. From INEOS Grenadiers, keep an eye on the cunning Tom Pidcock. Paul Lapeira has already claimed several impressive victories on similar courses this year. Mattias Skjelmose, last year's Tour of Switzerland winner, is likely keeping his bullets in the chamber for the high mountains. His teammate Thibau Nys will not hold back, and we will definitely see him at the front tomorrow, along with Axel Laurence.

This probably doesn't apply to Maxim Van Gils. How well is the young Belgian performing after a long spring? Veteran Michael Matthews is a sprinter who can easily handle Monday’s hills. Alberto Bettiol has also marked the first stage in red. And what can Lenny Martinez achieve in the Swiss hills? Riders like Adam Yates and Cian Uijtdebroeks will be seen at the front, but not contending for the stage win.

According to IDLProCycling.com, who are the favorites for stage 1 Tour of Switzerland 2024?

Top favorite:Marc Hirschi (UAE Team Emirates)
Outsiders:Isaac Del Toro and Finn Fisher-Black (UAE Team Emirates), Marijn van den Berg (EF Education-EasyPost), Michael Matthews (Jayco-AlUla), Maxim Van Gils (Lotto-Dstny), Thibau Nys (Lidl-Trek)
Long shots: Richard Carapaz and Alberto Bettiol (EF Education-EasyPost), Lenny Martinez (Groupama-FDJ), Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek), Paul Lapeira (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), Tom Pidcock (INEOS Grenadiers), Arnaud De Lie (Lotto-Dstny), Jordi Meeus (BORA-hansgrohe), Tobias Lund Andresen (dsm-firmenich PostNL), Axel Laurence (Alpecin-Deceuninck)