BMC Racing put in dominant performance to win opening team time trial of Tour de Suisse
Swiss rider Stefan Küng takes first yellow jersey

BMC Racing took victory on the opening team time trial of the Tour de Suisse as they put Stefan Küng in the leader's jersey and Richie Porte in the perfect position with an early advantage over his GC rivals.
With an all-star team including Porte, Küng, Tejay Van Garderen, and Greg Van Avermaet, BMC Racing were always going to be the favourites and duly delivered on that expectation.
Despite being down to four riders for much of the 18km stage around Frauenfeld, Team Sunweb were the best of the rest ahead of Quick-Step Floors, but BMC, the penultimate team to finish on the day, were really head and shoulders above the rest.
Earlier in the day, UAE Team Emirates were the surprise early leaders setting a time of 21-20 for the 18km course, holding off challenges from the likes of Team Sky and LottoNL Jumbo, a contrast to the disappointing 20th place that their team-mates managed in the Critérium du Dauphiné team time trial a few days ago.
However despite setting a strong time, it was no surprise that UAE Team Emirates soon came under pressure with Quick-Step Floors the unsurprising name to knock the Emirati team off the top of the standings with a new best mark of 20-45.
Movistar were the next team to put in a good ride as they finished just six seconds down on Quick-Step, before Bora-Hansgrohe with Peter Sagan in their ranks ran the Belgian team incredibly close as they missed out on top spot by just half a second.
Unsurprisingly team time trial world champions Team Sunweb were also putting in a strong ride as they went quickest at the intermediate check, before cracks began to show as riders were dropped and Wilco Kelderman struggled to hold on with just four riders left in the line.
But despite these issues Sunweb were still able to beat Quick-Step's time at the finish, setting a new best time of 20-37, which couldn't be challenged by Mitchelton-Scott, the penultimate team to finish.
That left pre-race favourites BMC Racing, with their all-star squad including Richie Porte, Greg Van Avermaet, and Tejay Van Garderen, and Katusha-Apecin as the only team left on the course.
BMC were on a typically strong team time trial day, going fastest at the first intermediate check and fastest at the finish as they knocked 19 seconds off Sunweb's time with local rider Stefan Küng leading them across the line.
With Katusha-Alpecin unable to come close to matching BMC's time, the American team were able to celebrate stage victory with Küng in the leader's jersey and Porte and Van Garderen in the strongest position possible in the general classification.
Results
Tour de Suisse 2018, stage one: Frauenfeld to Frauenfeld, 18km (TTT)
1. BMC Racing (USA), in 20-18
2. Team Sunweb (Ned), at 19 secs
3. Quick-Step Floors (Bel), at 27 secs
4. Bora-Hansgrohe (Ger), at same time
5. Mitchelton-Scott (Aus), at 29 secs
6. Movistar (Esp), at 33 secs
7. Bahrain-Merida (Bhr), at 36 secs
8. Groupama-FDJ (Fra), at 45 secs
9. Katusha-Alpecin (Sui), at 46 secs
10. UAE Team Emirates (UAE), at 50 secs
General classification after stage one
1. Stefan Küng (Sui) BMC Racing, in 20-18
2. Richie Porte (Aus) BMC Racing
3. Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing
4. Tejay van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing, all at same time
5. Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Team Sunweb, at 20 secs
6. Sam Oomen (Ned) Team Sunweb
7. Søren Kragh Andersen (Den) Team Sunweb
8. Michael Matthews (Aus) Team Sunweb
9. Simon Gerrans (Aus) BMC Racing, at 25 secs
10. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Quick-Step Floors, at 27 secs
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
Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
-
-
‘Moments to live and remember’: Roglič set to win the pink jersey after winning extraordinary penultimate stage of the Giro d’Italia
Thomas loses the pink jersey to Slovenian by just 14 seconds
By Stephen Puddicombe • Published
-
The best Memorial Day deals for cyclists
Memorial Day is coming up in the United States. We've rounded up the best Memorial Day deals for cyclists including bikes, apparel, gear and accessories.
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
Geraint Thomas takes overall victory at Tour de Suisse as Remco Evenepoel wins stage eight time-trial
The Welshman has found his form ahead of the Tour de France
By Pete Trifunovic • Last updated
-
Thibaut Pinot wins Tour de Suisse stage seven as Sergio Higuita takes the overall lead
The Frenchman secured his second win of the year
By Pete Trifunovic • Last updated
-
Covid threatens to disrupt Tour de France line-up
Virus sweeps through the peloton at key preparation races with Tour de Suisse race leader Vlasov forced to abandon
By Tom Thewlis • Last updated
-
Adam Yates out of Tour de Suisse with covid
Brit returns a positive test for coronavirus but the rest of Ineos Grenadiers will race on in Switzerland.
By Tom Thewlis • Last updated
-
Jumbo-Visma forced out of the Tour de Suisse due to Covid-19 case
Team says fresh positive will not effect Tour de France selection
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'I didn't know if I was going to get back on the top step': Daryl Impey on 'special' Tour de Suisse victory after breaking pelvis in 2021
South African takes first win in over two years, his first for Israel-Premier Tech
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'It's nice to be back': Peter Sagan downplays his first WorldTour win in over a year
Slovakian takes his maiden win for TotalEnergies, his first in ninth month, but his 18th Tour de Suisse stage
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Stevie Williams says every day in Tour de Suisse lead is 'a bonus'
Williams backed up a win on the opening stage, retaining the overall lead after stage two
By Tom Thewlis • Published