Today, the Tour de Suisse enters its exciting Stage 5, covering a distance of 148.6 kilometers from Ambrì to Carì. The new leader of the race is British cyclist Adam Yates from UAE Emirates. This stage will test the cyclists’ legs and endurance with a challenging uphill finish, following the tough previous stage that ended at the San Gotardo Pass.
The race will start in Ambrì, a picturesque town in the Leventina Valley known for its hockey stadium and the nearby Ambri-Piotta airport. The route includes several climbs and descents before the final ascent. The cyclists will tackle the Ronco climb, a 5.9-kilometer ascent with an average gradient of 7.4 percent, which is expected to see the first attacks of the day.
After that, they will face the first passage through Carì, a first-category climb with a 7.6-kilometer ascent at an average gradient of 10 percent, still 117.3 kilometers from the finish line. The route continues with a long descent and rolling terrain before reaching the base of the final climb to Carì. This last ascent, a 10.5-kilometer climb at an average gradient of 10.8 percent, will lead the cyclists to the finish line at an altitude of 1,650 meters.
Carì, a ski resort in the canton of Ticino, provides a spectacular backdrop for the end of this stage, with breathtaking views and a finish that promises to be decisive for the general classification. Adam Yates holds the yellow leader’s jersey with a 26-second lead over his teammate João Almeida and Danish rider Mattias Skjelmose, who are tied for second place. Colombian Egan Bernal is in fourth place, 49 seconds behind, followed by Dutch rider Wilco Kelderman at 1 minute and 15 seconds.
The stage is set to start at 13:05 (CEST) from the Gotthard Arena in Ambrì, and the first cyclists are expected to cross the finish line in Carì around 17:00. With a total elevation gain of 3,206 meters, this stage will be a challenge for climbers and overall contenders alike. The weather forecast predicts clear skies with temperatures ranging from 15 to 22°C in the lower areas of the route. At the summit of Carì, cooler temperatures around 12°C are expected, along with moderate winds that could impact the outcome of the stage.
Overall, Stage 5 of the Tour de Suisse promises to be a thrilling and demanding day of racing, showcasing the riders’ skills and determination as they tackle the challenging course from Ambrì to Carì.