Where: Switzerland
When: June 9-17 2018
Rank: UCI WorldTour

Along with the Critérium du Dauphiné, the Tour de Suisse is one of the key preparation events for riders taking part in the Tour de France, in addition to being a prestigious race in its own right. In 2018, it takes place between June 9-17.

The race traditionally features a mixture of time trials, relatively flat stages for the sprinters and high mountains. In the past, the weather has also played a part in the event, with the high mountain passes often affected by poor conditions and snowfall.

Final general classification for 2018 Tour de Suisse

1 Richie Porte (Aus) BMC Racing Team, in 29-28-05
2 Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Astana Pro Team, at 1-02
3 Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas (Col) Movistar Team, at 1:12
4 Enric Mas Nicolau (Esp) Quick Step Floors, at 1-20
5 Wilco Kelderman (Ned) Team Sunweb, at 1-21
6 Simon Špilak (Slo) Team Katusha – Alpecin, at 1-47
7 Sam Oomen (Ned) Team Sunweb, at 1-52
8 Steven Kruijswijk (Ned) Team LottoNL – Jumbo, at 1-59
9 Diego Ulissi (Ita) UAE Team Emirates, at 2-27
10 Arthur Vichot (Fra) Groupama – FDJ, at 2-41

Tour de Suisse 2018 stages

Stage 1, Sat June 9, Frauenfeld to Frauenfeld, 18km TTT – report
Stage 2, Sun June 10, Frauenfeld to Frauenfeld, 155km – report
Stage 3, Mon June 11, Oberstammheim to Gansingen, 182km – report
Stage 4, Tues June 12, Gansingen to Gstaad, 189km – report 
Stage 5, Weds June 13, Gstaad to Leukerbad, 155km – report
Stage 6, Thurs June 14, Fiesch to Gommiswald, 186km – report
Stage 7, Fri June 15, Eschenbach/Atzmännig to Arosa, 170km – report
Stage 8, Sat June 16, Bellinzona to Bellinzona, 123km – report
Stage 9, Sun June 17, Bellinzona to Bellinzona, 34km ITT – report

The 2017 edition was comfortably won by Simon Spilak (Katusha-Alpecin), finishing 48 seconds ahead of Damiano Caruso (BMC Racing Team), with Steven Kruijswijk (Team LottoNL-Jumbo) third at 1-08.

It was Spilak’s second win in the race – he also claimed first place overall in 2015.

Spilak returns for 2018 to wear the number one bib and will face a general classification challenge from the likes of Richie Porte (BMC), Sergio Henao (Team Sky), Jakob Fuglsang (Astana), Ion Izagirre (Bahrain-Merida) and Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo).

Flatter stages – such as they are – will be contested by a strong selection of Classics riders and sprinters, including world champion Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe), Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing), Fernando Gaviria (Quick-Step Floors) and André Greipel (Lotto Soudal).

The race opens with an 18-kilometre team time trial in Frauenfeld on Saturday, June 9, to sort out an early race leader before two hilly stages that should suit the likes of Sagan and Van Avermaet.

Stage four is the first of three stages to feature a summit finish, which should ensure that the race lead changes hands ahead of the decisive final individual time trial in Bellinzona.

This relatively long and flat 34km test against the clock on Sunday, June 17, could easily provide a final day upset.

Tour de Suisse 2017 Final General Classification

1. Simon Spilak (Slo) Katusha-Alpecin, in 28-37-11
2. Damiano Caruso (Ita) BMC Racing Team, at 48s
3. Steven Kruijswijk (Ned) Team LottoNl-Jumbo, at 1-08
4. Domenico Pozzovivo (Ita) AG2R La Mondiale, at 2-37
5. Rui Costa (Por) UAE Team Emirates, at 3-09
6. Ion Izagirre (Esp) Bahrain-Merida, at 3-51
7. Mathias Frank (Swi) AG2R La Mondiale, at 4-00
8. Marc Soler (Esp) Movistar Team, at 4-14
9. Mikel Nieve (Esp) Team Sky, at 4-47
10. Pello Bilbao (Esp) Astana Pro Team, at 5-30

Tour de Suisse: Recent winners

2017 Simon Spilak (Slo) Katusha-Alpecin
2016 Miguel Angel Lopez (Col) Astana
2015 Simon Spilak (Katusha)
2014 Rui Costa (Lampre-Merida)
2013 Rui Costa (Movistar)
2012 Rui Costa (Movistar)
2011 Levi Leiphemier (RadioShack)
2010 Frank Schlack (Saxo Bank)
2009 Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank)
2008 Roman Kreuziger (Liquigas)
2007 Vladimir Karpets (Caisse D’Epargne)

Key info: 2018 start list | 2018 live TV guide

Key riders: Richie Porte | Nairo Quintana | Greg van Avermaet | Peter Sagan | Steven Kruijswijk