On the back of his win at the Mercan’Tour Classic last week, Jakob Fuglsang is set to return to the Tour de Suisse where the Danish rider is targeting the General Classification podium.
Fuglsang, who finished third overall in 2021, has stood on the GC podium at the Swiss eight-day race three times in his career and is confident he can add a fourth to his palmarès.
“I’m really looking forward to testing myself at the Tour de Suisse. It’s definitely one of my favorite races on the calendar and one where I can race well. It was great to be back on the podium for the third time last year and now, after my win at Mercan’Tour Classic, I am taking a lot of confidence into the race,” says Fuglsang.
“It feels like everything is coming together well ahead of the Tour de France so this will be my final test. We have a solid team and I know I will have some good support from the guys throughout the week. I’d love to be in the mix for a stage win and stand on the GC podium again.”
Behind him in the race car is Fuglsang’s Danish compatriot and IPT Sports Director Nicki Sørensen, who says the team will target multiple objectives when racing gets underway this Sunday.
“Our biggest goal at the Tour de Suisse is the General Classification with Jakob Fuglsang and we will be all in for him. Jakob is in great shape and if he races like he did at the Mercan’Tour Classic, I think we can have a really good result. Stages 5, 6 and 7 will be crucial for the General Classification, and of course, the 25-kilometer TT will also be really important for the final result,” explains Sørensen.
While Fuglsang leads IPT’s General Classification ambitions, Tour de Romandie stage winner Patrick Bevin returns to Swiss terrain looking to add to his 3-win tally this season.
“We also have Paddy Bevin lining up who gives us a strong card to play. I think Paddy is having his best season and has scored some great wins so why not try and add to that. He is a versatile rider and has a fast finish so he can be up there on some of the punchy stages. With the experience of riders like Daryl Impey, Hugo Houle, Krists Neilands, Reto Hollenstein, and Sebastian Berwick, we have a strong team ready to support Jakob and Paddy,” adds Sørensen.
Tour de Suisse (12-19 June)
Rider roster: Sebastian Berwick (AUS), Patrick Bevin (NZ), Jakob Fuglsang (DEN), Reto Hollenstein (SUI), Hugo Houle (CAN), Daryl Impey (RSA), Krists Neilands (LAT)
Sports Directors: Nicki Sørensen (DEN), Claudio Cozzi (ITA), Zak Dempster (AUS)
