Geraint Thomas falls just short of Tour de Suisse title as Spilak wins overall
Simon Spilak wins Tour de Suisse overall title by just five seconds from Geraint Thomas, who finishes fifth behind Tom Dumoulin on final time trial
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Geraint Thomas dug deep on the final 38.4km time trial at the Tour de Suisse but his efforts were not enough to stop an inspired Simon Spilak from pipping him to the overall win by just five seconds.
The Team Sky rider knew he had to overcome a 34-second deficit on overnight leader Thibaut Pinot, which he managed with ease - it was Katusha's Spilak who posed the bigger danger, 13 seconds behind the Welshman.
Thomas finished 36 seconds down on stage winner Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) and more importantly 18 seconds down on Spilak to give the Slovenian the general classification title.
It was home-crowd favourite Fabian Cancellara who set the pace early on, with his time of 48m 55s the fastest almost all afternoon until Dumoulin - sixth from last down the ramp - blew it out of the water.
The Dutchman, who will be one of the favourites to take the first yellow jersey of the Tour de France in his home country on July 4, knocked a whole 19 seconds off Cancellara's time.
In doing so the World Championships time trial silver medalist claimed third place overall, with Pinot struggling home nearly two minutes down on Dumoulin.
Spilak knew he had the beating of Thomas, but until the Sky rider crossed the line in fifth place he did not know by how much. He has been on form in stage races this season, finishing second in the Tour de Romandie and third in Paris-Nice.
For Thomas it will be a confidence boost ahead of the Tour de France, where he could challenge in the opening short time trial before settling in as one of Chris Froome's trusted lieutenants.
Tour de Suisse stage nine, Bern-Bern (38.4km ITT)
1. Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Giant-Alpecin, 48-36
2. Simon Spilak (Slo) Katusha, at 18s
3. Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Trek, at 19s
4. Adriano Malori (Ita) Movistar, at 34s
5. Geraint Thomas (GBr) Team Sky, at 36s
6. Bob Jungels (Lux) Trek, at 41s
7. Jerome Coppel (Fra) IAM Cycling, at 44s
8. Cameron Meyer (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge, at 1-07
9. Rafal Majka (Pol) Tinkoff-Saxo, at 1-26
10. Robert Gesink (Ned) LottoNL-Jumbo, at 1-32
Tour de Suisse general classification
1. Simon Spilak (Slo) Katusha, 30-15-09
2. Geraint Thomas (GBr) Team Sky, at 5s
3. Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Giant-Alpecin, at 19s
4. Thibaut Pinot (Fra) FDJ, at 45s
5. Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita) Ag2r-La Mondiale, at 2-21
6. Bob Jungels (Lux) Trek, at 2-58
7. Miguel Angel Lopez (Esp) Astana, at 3-06
8. Steve Morabito (Swi) FDJ, at 3-17
9. Robert Gesink (Ned) LottoNL-Jumbo, at 3-19
10. Rafal Majka (Pol) Tinkoff-Saxo, at 3-20
Take a closer look at the Tour de France 2015 route
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
-
Extinction Rebellion stages anti-Shell protest at British Track Champs
Two people carried a banner through the stands at Newport's Geraint Thomas National Velodrome
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
60% of motorists unaware of Highway Code changes, one year after introduction
Charity Cycling UK has called on the government to raise awareness of the updates
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
CW LIVE: Wout van Aert and Shirin van Anrooij win cyclo-cross in Koksijde; Rapha unveil EF Education kits; Police search for two suspects in Mark Cavendish robbery; Paris-Nice route announced; Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas to ride Tour Down Under
All the latest in the world of cycling
By Tom Davidson • Last updated
-
Egan Bernal has nose operation to help 'air passage' ahead of 2023
Procedure not thought to be connected to the life-threatening crash which affected Colombian last year
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tweets of the week: Ineos Grenadiers' three wise men, team jersey déjà vu and World Cup celebrations by bike
Here's our social media round-up, featuring a cycling all-star nativity
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Geraint Thomas: 'I'm the best footballer at Ineos Grenadiers'
The Welsh cyclist shares his views on the World Cup, Arsenal's title chances and his own football skills
By Tom Davidson • Last updated
-
Ineos Grenadiers sign their first female rider
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot reported to be joining new Ineos mountain bike team, alongside Tom Pidcock
By Adam Becket • Last updated
-
Remco Evenepoel transfer to Ineos Grenadiers is ‘too stupid for words’ says Patrick Lefevere
Lefevere revealed he has been laughing at speculation around the new world champion
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers sign unknown 18-year-old Michael Leonard
Canadian is the latest young rider to join the British squad
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers sign 18 year-old time trial and track talent Josh Tarling
The 18-year-old is a two-time Welsh national track champion, and finished second in the 2021 junior worlds time trial
By Ryan Dabbs • Published