Tour de Suisse 2019: Bernal extends GC-lead with St. Gotthard win

With over 4,000 metres of climbing, the 7th stage is the hardest on this year's Tour de Suisse. Leader Egan Bernal goes solo in the cobbled last kilometres of the iconic Gotthard Pass to extend his lead on GC. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 7th stage Tour de Suisse 2019

1. Egan Bernal (col)
2. Domenico Pozzovivo (ita) + 0.23
3. Rohan Dennis (aus) s.t.
4. Patrick Konrad (aut) + 0.34
5. Jan Hirt (cze) s.t.
6. Tiesj Benoot (bel) s.t.
7. Enric Mas (spa) + 0.40
8. Simon Spilak (Slo + 0.50
9. Lennard Kämna (ger) + 1.03
10. Fabio Aru (ita) s.t.

GC after stage 7
1. Egan Bernal (col)
2. Rohan Dennis (aus) + 0.41
3. Patrick Konrad (aut) + 1.13
4. Domenico Pozzovivo (ita) + 1.17
5. Jan Hirt (cze) + 1.19
6. Tiesj Benoot (bel) s.t.
7. Enric Mas (spa) + 2.07
8. Fabio Aru (ita) + 2.20
9. Nicolas Roche (irl) + 2.23
10. Simon Spilak (slo) + 2.26

Race report
It takes more than an hour for the breakaway to take shape. Koen Bouwman, Winner Anacona, Steve Morabito, Mathias Frank, Michael Albasini, Lukasz Wisniowski, Tsgabu Grmay and Gino Mäder crest the first climb in Flims 2 minutes ahead of the peloton, while they extend their gap to 3.35 minutes at the Lukmanier Pass. Bouwman grabs maximum KOM points on both climbs.

Bouwman tackles the Gotthard climb solo, but Frank overhauls him with 9.5 kilometres remaining. The Swizz rider is brought back after 4 kilometres in the lead, while Enric Mas strikes inside the last 4.5 kilometres.

Egan Bernal goes after the Spaniard with almost 3 kilometres to go. He gobbles up Mas and storms to glory.

While Domenico Pozzovivo waits for his team mate Rohan Dennis, second on GC, they try to limit their losses. The chasing duo finishes 23 seconds down on the leader.

Ahead of the chrono race of stage 8 World Champion Dennis has to gain 41 seconds on Bernal to regain the leader jersey.

Another interesting read: route 7th stage 2019 Tour de Suisse.