A Game of Altitude and Attitude: Tour de Suisse Stage 4 Recap

The Tour de Suisse continued its exciting journey with the fourth stage from Monthey to Leukerbad, spanning a total distance of 153 km. What may have seemed a tranquil start with a 24-kilometer-long opening lap, transformed into a challenging day for the riders as the flat topography quickly gave way to unforgiving climbs.

Contrary to what the early course suggested, stage 4 was no easy day. While the first 80 kilometers may have seemed rather uneventful with its flat terrain, the real challenge was yet to come. The first shakeup happened during the ascent to Crans-Montana, where the racers had their first real test of the day.

Pascal Eenkhoorn of Lotto-Dstny displayed his strength on this climb, taking the first mountain King of the Mountains (KOM), a Category 1 climb, and setting the stage for what was to follow. His victory on the grueling Crans-Montana ascent underlined the significance of endurance and climbing proficiency in this stage.

With the final climb up to the finish line in Leukerbad looming, the cyclists were faced with an arduous task. The climb via Erschmatt and Albinen offered no respite, testing the riders’ stamina and resolve to the fullest.

In a surprising turn of events, Remco Evenepoel, who has previously shown great promise, was dropped from the chasing group with just 10 km to go. This tour has proven to be a tough one for Evenepoel, who seemed to struggle during this particular stage.

However, while some riders struggled, others seized the opportunity to shine. Felix Gall of AG2R launched an audacious attack at the beginning of the last mountain. Despite the taxing course, Gall managed to maintain his pace and claimed a well-deserved stage win.

Gall’s victory not only marked a personal achievement but also resulted in a shift in the overall standings. With his triumphant finish, Gall has taken the lead in the General Classification, adding an extra layer of excitement to the ongoing race.

Now, the leader’s jersey rests on the shoulders of Felix Gall, followed closely by Mattias Skjelmose, who is just 2 seconds behind. Evenepoel, despite his struggles on stage 4, remains in the third spot, 16 seconds off the pace.

As we look forward to the stages to come, it’s evident that the Tour de Suisse continues to be a thrilling contest of strength, skill, and strategy. Stage 4 reminded us that every kilometer counts, every climb can make a difference, and every stage win can turn the tables in the race for the overall lead.