As he had done the day before, Nickolas Zukowsky (Q36.5 Pro Cycling) once again jumped on the bandwagon of the day’s breakaway at the Tour de Suisse, but this time it was to defend his red jersey of the best climber.
On Tuesday, the Quebec cyclist was able to hold on to the top of the first of the two first category passes of this 144 kilometer stage between Tafers and Villars-sur-Ollon to conclude with 17 points, 5 better than the Dane Mattias Skjelmose (Trek – Segafredo) and Frenchman Lilian Calmejane (Intermarché – Circus – Wanty), also a member of the breakaway.
Hugo Houle (Israel – Premier Tech) finished 33rd (3 min 18 s) and Zukowsky 81st (10 min 14 s). Skjelmose donned the yellow jersey at the end of the stage.
In addition to Calmejane, Zukowsky rode with Paul Ourselin (TotalEnergies) and Alexander Kamp (Tudor Pro Cycling). The Quebecer took matters into his own hands to take the 12 points of the mountain classification at stake at the top of the Col des Mosses, except that Calmejane let him down and left him the 8 points of second place .
“It surprised me and I didn’t expect it, because a little earlier, before we got to the pass, I asked the others if they were going there for the KOM (King Of the Mountain). Everyone said no. »
Seeing that the group of favorites was getting dangerously close, Zukowsky did his part to ensure that it was his group that contested the coveted points.
“(Calmejane) was the most conservative in the breakaway, but that’s the bike. You can’t demand that everyone force as much as possible. He has experience and he is cunning. […] I was a little angry at the time, but after that, it’s a bike race and there are no gifts. »
The peloton finally caught up with the four fugitives a few moments later on the descent which was perilous due to the wet road surface and the high pace imposed by certain formations as confirmed by Hugo Houle.
“We had a bit of rain, especially for the technical part where everyone wanted to elbow, so it was a little more stressful. It was quite the key moment of the day before preparing for the final climb. I can tell you that it was going very fast! I was well placed in the top-20 and in the rain, you have no room for error. It went well in general and I didn’t have any stress. And once in the valley, I was well placed to do my job properly. »
His Belgian teammate Dylan Teuns stood out as the 13th (47s) to cross the finish line.
“For my part, I am reassured. The form is good and the legs are there,” added Houle who finished the race at his own pace. “I will have freedom to go in the breakaways in the days to come. The upcoming stages are interesting to go on the attack and it is certain that we will keep an eye on Dylan Teuns to keep him well placed in the general classification. But for the rest, we will try to be aggressive and make breakaways to try to get a stage. »
On Wednesday, Nickolas Zukowsky will do everything to keep his red jersey. The first difficulty of the 153 kilometer stage between Monthey and Loèche-les-Bains, the ascent to Crans-Montana (first category), will be shortly after the halfway point, so he could still collect other precious points. he smells the good shot. For the other two intermediate sprints, it will certainly be more complicated.
“The fighting spirit is still there and I want to continue the adventure, to try myself and give everything I have,” concluded the 25-year-old athlete.