Yes, stage 5 is an opportunity for sprinters, yet the route is far from flat. The race features 2,750 vertical metres. But since virtually all of this is included in the first 144 kilometres a bunch sprint is still a likely outcome.
That said, sprinters who are eyeing and Einsiedeln victory have to survive the first long climb of the Tour de Suisse. On rolling to hilly roads the route cuts straight across the Swiss Plateau until a 10 kilometres climb takes the riders to Sattel, where the caravan arrives at kilometre 143. The first passage on the finish line is at kilometre 153 before the riders complete a loop around Lake Sihl. The finish is near Einsiedeln Abbey, a Benedictine monastery that dates back to the year 934.
The first three riders on the line gain time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds, while an intermediate sprint at kilometre 160.6 comes with 3, 2 and 1 seconds.
The race is expected to finish around 17.20 local time.
Other interesting reads:
– live race report
– GC after stage 4
Tour de Suisse 2019 stage 5: route, profile, videos
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