Tour de Suisse 2022: Vlasov sprints to stage triumph and GC lead

image: Cor VosThe finale of the 5th stage of the Tour de Suisse is a puncher's dream. Following compelling racing, Aleksandr Vlasov wins the sprint of an elite group to move into the GC lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 5th stage 2022 Tour de Suisse

1. Aleksandr Vlasov (rus)
2. Neilson Powless (usa) s.t.
3. Jakob Fuglsang (den) s.t.
4. Geraint Thomas (gbr) s.t.
5. Diego Ulissi (ita) + 0.05
6. Felix Großschartner (aut) + 0.06
7. Stefan Küng (swi) s.t.
8. Sergio Higuita (col) s.t.
9. Maximilian Schachmann (ger) s.t.
10. Sébastien Reichenbach (fra) + 0.09

11. Andreas Kron (den) s.t.
18. Andreas Leknessund (nor) + 0.37
28. Remco Evenepoel (bel) + 2.12
99. Stephen Williams (gbr) + 27.19

GC after stage 5
1. Aleksandr Vlasov (rus)
2. Jakob Fuglsang (den) + 0.06
3. Geraint Thomas (gbr) + 0.07
4. Andreas Kron (den) + 0.14
5. Stefan Küng (swi) + 0.16
6. Sergio Higuita (col) s.t.
7. Neilson Powless (usa) + 0.28
8. Felix Großschartner (aut) + 0.40
9. Sébastien Reichenbach (fra) + 0.43
10. Andreas Leknessund (nor) + 0.44

Race report
It does not take long for Silvan Dillier, Anthony Turgis, Johan Jacobs and Claudio Imhof to attack. Alexander Kamp joins the move and the five carve out a lead of more than 7 minutes.

Leader Williams loses contact in the peloton shortly after entering the finishing circuit, while Swiss Champion Dillier is the only remaining leader when the bell for the final laps sounds.

Dillier’s solo is history with 15 kilometres remaining.

Evenepoel is dropped on the 2.1 kilometres climb inside the last 10 kilometres, while Schachmann and Pidcock strike on descent. Fuglsang counterattacks when they are brought back 5 kilometres before the line.

Vlasov, Powless, Schachmann and Thomas rejoin the Dane on the finish climb. A chase group comes closing in just before the flamme rouge, but they can’t bridge the gap, partly because Schachmann opens the sprint early. Very early. Not to win himself, but as lead out for Vlasov. The Russian crowns the effort with the stage win and leader’s jersey.

Another interesting read: route 5th stage 2022 Tour de Suisse.