Ayuso takes the lead in the Tour de Romandie after winning the time trial

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Gino Mäder (26) put himself in the battle for the overall victory with a respectable performance for the king stage on Saturday. In the 18.75km time trial, which includes a poisonous climb and a treacherous descent, Switzerland’s brightest hopes lose 25 seconds to the day’s fastest Juan Ayuso (20) in ninth. In the general classification, Mäder jumps to 12th place, 41 seconds behind Ayuso.

The Spaniard, third overall in the Vuelta last year, but without competition this year until his participation in Romandie due to nerve pain in his left leg, does not give the competition a chance. Only second-placed American Matteo Jorgenson (23) can reasonably keep up with the UAE Emirates driver, five seconds behind. Adam Yates (30) in third loses 17 seconds. Previous leader Ethan Hayter (24) of Great Britain lost 49 seconds to the winner as 21.

The overall victory will probably be decided in Valais

It is a setback for world time trial champion Tobias Foss (25). The Norwegian was exchanged as the first contender for the stage victory, but loses a lot of time in the second half of the course and is only eighth. The second best Swiss behind Mäder is 17th, 37 seconds behind Swiss time trial champion Joel Suter (24), fifth in Tuesday’s prologue.

The decision on the overall victory must fall on Saturday in the tough mountain stage with a finish at 2090 meters in the Valais ski area Thyon 2000. 4345 meters of altitude must be overcome on the 161 kilometers. The 76th Tour of Western Switzerland ends on Sunday with a hilly stage to Geneva. (SDA)

Source : Blick