Tour de Suisse (2011) Photos June 11 - 19

« Tour de Suisse 2011 Live Dashboard

World Champion Fabian Cancellara motoring along the shores of Lake Lagano	Not surprisingly, Fabian Cancellara (Leopard-Trek) posted the best time for the short Stage 1 ITT, 7.3 km in 9:42	Tejay Van Garderen (USA) HTC-Highroad had the second best time + 0:09
5th Andreas Klöden (Ger) Team RadioShack + 0:18	Levi Leipheimer (USA) Team RadioShack was 9th + 0:22	17th Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre - ISD + 0:28
Andy Schleck's Tour de France prep includes more drivetrain problems. After switching bikes, he finished 147th + 1:18.	Just what the Swiss came to see today, their world champ Fabian Cancellara in Yellow after the first stage

Stage 2:  Airolo → Crans-Montana, 148 km  Full Results and Report

Stage 2 at just 148 km in length got off to a fast start from Airolo to Crans-Montana	Frank Schleck (Leopard-Trek) and Andreas Klöden (RadioShack)	The HC Nufenenpass in the first half of the stage is the high point of this year's race at 2480m
Climbing the long but gradual Nufenenpass	Descending the Nufenenpass	Another good shot of the Nufenenpass descent
Race leader Fabian Cancellara (Leopard-Trek) chowing down before the final climb	Things starting to get strung out at the base of the cat 1 climb to Crans-Montana	Leopard-Trek at the front for Frank Schleck
Mathias Frank (Swi) BMC Racing Team and Danilo Di Luca (Ita) Katusha Team driving the pace on the final climb	Despite a sizable lunch (or as a result of), race leader Fabian Cancellara was spat out the back. He finished way down in 103rd + 17:44.	The eventual top 10 finishers before the final attacks
Frank Schleck (Leopard-Trek) attacked with 2 km to go, but...	But, Juan Mauricio Soler's (Col/Movistar) second counterattack was the successful move at the ski resort finish. He won by 12s ahead of...	Just like the Crans-Montana finish at the 2009 Tour de Suisse, Damiano Cunego (Lampre-ISD) crossed second this time just ahead of Frank Schleck (Leopard-Trek)
Juan Mauricio Soler (Movistar) celebrates his first win in four years with a Yellow Jersey and...	... and a few stylish kisses

Stage 3:  Brig-Glis → Grindelwald, 108 km  Full Results and Report

The Schleck brothers and the rest of the peloton getting ready for a short (108 km), but epic stage from Brig-Glis → Grindelwald	The rollout from Brig	Jens Voigt put the hurt into the peloton going up the Cat 1 Grimselpass with teammates Andy Schleck and Jakob Fuglsang in tow
The peloton spread out on the crazy switchbacks that help take the steepness out of the Grimselpass	The view from the top of the Grimselpass on a perfectly clear day in 2002 unlike today's cloud-covered Tour de Suisse stage 3. (photo courtesy of Skip Lauderbaugh)	Andy Schleck now at the front of the break between the Grimselpass and Grosse Scheidegg
The break. Notice the green helmet of Liquigas' sprinter Peter Sagan nicely tucked in this group.	The Reichenbach Waterfalls (thanks Carol Knezevic)	Climbing the narrow road to Grosse Scheidegg with some great scenery in the background
The break about to be caught by Damiano Cunego on Grosse Scheidegg	Damiano Cunego likes climbing in bad weather. In lieu of a photo of him cresting Grosse Scheidegg in the lead, here's a photo of him launching an equally impressive attack at the 2009 Vuelta a Espana.	After a scary descent on a narrow, damp, technical road into Grindelwald, Damiano Cunego is joined by Peter Sagan who bridged up in the last 5 km.
Peter Sagan sat on Damiano Cunego's wheel knowing Cunego was after the Yellow Jersey	Off they go to the finish with Peter Sagan looking for the stage win	After Leopard-Trek's hard work, Jakob Fuglsang (Den) finished 3rd today + 21s
Juan Mauricio Soler (Movistar) finished 9th + 1:04 and lost his Yellow Jersey	Peter Sagan muscled his way into the lead around the final corners	There should be two winners today, but Damiano Cunego has to settle for second after his heroic climb of Grosse Scheidegg
6th Tejay Van Garderen (HTC - Highroad), 7th Frank Schleck (Leopard-Trek) and the Yellow Jersey crossing + 1:04. Van Garderen is 5th overall + 1:21	Damiano Cunego wasn't able to bite his nails on the Grosse Scheidegg descent like he wanted to so he waited until he crossed the line	Peter Sagan (Liquigas) celebrates the most impressive win of his young career with a big hunk of cheese. This guy can do it all and, by the way, he's just 21 years old -- the youngest rider in the race.
Damiano Cunego (Lampre-ISD) slipping into Yellow with a very nice 54s lead over Juan Mauricio Soler (Movistar)	All hail Damiano Cunego's effort today...	Damiano Cunego possibly saying a few prays and thanks under his breath
Parting gifts and kisses for today's top performance

Stage 4:  Grindelwald → Huttwil, 198 km  Full Results and Report

The Little Prince, Damiano Cunego (Lampre-ISD), looking big at the start in Grindelwald, the finish host for yesterday's thrilling mountain stage	Picturesque country near Spiez	The peloton making its way north on a typically, well-maintained Swiss road
Today's main break consisting of Sylvain Chavanel (Quick Step), Lloyd Mondory (AG2R La Mondiale) and Cesare Benedetti (Team NetApp)	Another picturesque Swiss landscape shot from today's action in the Bern canton	The pace picked up as we approached the host finish town, Huttwil
The cluttered finish in Huttwil where the race would pass through twice	The three man break made it to Huttwil	but they were caught by the peloton on the finishing circuit
Race leader Damiano Cunego (Lampre-ISD) and Brothers Schleck (Leopard-Trek) nestled in the pack	After Jens Voigt was caught, Stuart O'Grady (Leopard-Trek) put in a dig with 500m to go	The pace on the lumpy circuit with a slight (2%) uphill finish was too much for Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad)
Two riders put a sizable gap (5-6 bike lengths) on the field during the slightly uphill finish	The World Champ, Thor Hushovd (Garmin), gets his first win of the year ahead of yesterday's mountain stage winner, Peter Sagan (Liquigas) who looks around at the big gap	Thor Hushovd and the usual winner's gesticulation
Your stage 4 winner, Thor Hushovd, celebrating his first win since capturing the Rainbow Jersey last September in Australia	The Little Prince dwarfed by the podium "girls" and the Wurth Teddie Bear; Damiano Cunego maintained his race lead today

Stage 5:  Huttwil → Tobel-Tägerschen, 204 km  Full Results and Report

The peloton rolling along near the Bad Zurzach cat 3 KOM at km 85 in Northern Switzerland	Like yesterday, today's main break made it to the finishing circuit. Alessandro Bazzana (Team Type 1-Sanofi Aventis) leading Jan Barta (NetApp), Daniel Sesma (Euskatel-Euskadi) and Manuele Boaro (Saxo Bank Sungard)	The second time through Tobel-Tägerschen was for real. When Tom Boonen (QuickStep) found himself at the front he decided to go for it with 800m still to go
Tom Boonen didn't have the legs today, but Marco Marcato (Vacansoleil-DCM) coming up from behind almost did	When Marco Marcato (left, Vacansoleil-DCM) cleared to the side, he slowed down Oscar Freire (Rabobank) allowing his Vacansoleil teammate...	Borut Bozic (Slo/Vacansoleil-DCM) pips Oscar Freire (Rabobank) at the line
I guess our winner surprised himself today?	Your Stage 5 winner, Borut Bozic (Slo/Vacansoleil-DCM)	Damiano Cunego (Lampre-ISD) slipping into Yellow again
Another big mountain test coming up tomorrow with a HC summit finish	We haven't posted a photo of Mountains classification leader Laurens Ten Dam (Rabobank) yet so here you go

Stage 6:  Tobel-Tägerschen → Triesenberg (LI), 158 km  Full Results and Report

While a NetApp rider disposes of his bottle, Tour de Suisse Race Director Beat Zberg temporarily neutralised the stage after a earlier crash with spectator involving 2nd overall Juan Mauricio Soler (Movistar) who was airlifted to hospital with "severe head trauma and multiple fractures"	Km 85: Spectators pointing out the peloton as they arrive at the first climb of the day near Beglingen	The peloton descending the first climb of the day, the cat 3 Kerenzerberg at km 92
Km 110: The back of the peloton rolling along next to Lake Walensee with Walenstadt in the distance	With 2 km to go on the hors categorie Triesenberg-Malbun climb (10.4 @ 8.6%), 23 year-old Steven Kruijswijk (Rabobank) launched off the front of a sluggish looking lead group	Damiano Cunego (Lampre-ISD) and Levi Leipheimer (RadioShack) trying to follow Steven Kruijswijk's move (while taking in a photo-op)
Damiano Cunego (Lampre-ISD) and is his distinctive dancing style	Frank Schleck (Leopard-Trek) was the favorite today by most counts, but he failed to deliver. It seems he didn't like the advice he was getting from his team radio judging by what's in his mouth. Bauke Mollema (Rabobank), behind Schleck at this point, finished 4th today and is now 2nd overall + 1:23	Jacob Fuglsang (Saxo Bank) slide down the GC with his 9th place (+1:27) performance today. It will now be tough to top his third overall result from last year's race.
Tejay Van Garderen (HTC-Highroad) time-trialing his way to 13th (+ 2:15). He's now dropped down to 10th overall.	Steven Kruijswijk (Rabobank) solos the final 2 km for the win	Steven Kruijswijk (Rabobank) wins his first pro race in fine style and moves up to 3rd on GC (+ 1:36)
Levi Leipheimer (RadioShack) grinded his way to 2nd + 0:09 and he's now poised for a podium spot (currently, 5th overall + 1:59)	Damiano Cunego (Lampre-ISD) finished 3rd + 0:18 and strengthens his overall lead after an exhausting effort	Frank Schleck (Leopard-Trek) and Mathias Frank (BMC) crossing 6th and 7th + 0:30 showing the effects of the hardest climb at this year's race
Mathias Frank (BMC) did well to rejoin the lead group and finish 7th after crashing at the base of the finishing climb	A panoramic of the Flamme Rouge (last km marker) with trailing riders making their way to the finish	Your stage 6 winner, Steven Kruijswijk (Rabobank), celebrating his first win as a pro
With a good performance today and Juan Mauricio Soler's (Movistar) earlier crash, Damiano Cunego (Lampre-ISD) is now ahead by 1:23	The podium girls are enjoying their time with the Little Prince, but their backs will be sore by the end of the week if Damiano Cunego maintains his lead

Stage 7:  Vaduz (LI) → Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis (AU), 223 km  Full Results and Report

Near the feed zone, a successful break of 17 riders formed at the base of the hors categorie Flüelapass in the first half of the race. This was the longest stage of the race at 223 km.	The rest of the peloton climbing the long but not steep Flüelapass	With about 25 km to go, Vacansoleil-DCM played one of its cards by rolling Thomas De Gendt (Vacansoleil-DCM) off the front of the break
At the base of the Serfaus finishing climb where it averages 9% for first 5 of 10 km, Andy Schleck (Leopard-Trek) sprung into action attempting to catch De Gendt.	The GC contenders resigned themselves to the break succeeding	Panoramic of the Serfaus finishing climb with trailing riders
Thomas De Gendt (Vacansoleil-DCM) went into time trial mode when the finishing climb leveled out with 4 to 5 km to go	Thomas De Gendt (Vacansoleil-DCM) said post-stage he was surprised he held off Andy Schleck.	2nd Andy Schleck only cut 30s off of De Gendt's one minute lead on the finishing 9 km climb
Andy Schleck (Leopard-Trek) looks bored after his final mountain tune-up for the upcoming Tour de France which seems to be his only focus this year	Race leader Damiano Cunego (Lampre-ISD) led the GC contenders across the line for 17th + 4:39. He said pre-stage he was hoping to use this last mountain stage to extend his overall lead.	Your Stage 7 winner, Thomas De Gendt (Vacansoleil-DCM) said this win trumped his impressive solo stage win at Paris-Nice (photos) earlier this year
Damiano Cunego (Lampre-ISD) was unsuccessful in putting more time on Levi Leipheimer who is 1:59 back and the much better time-trialist	Andy Schleck is now the KOM leader at this year's race which is likely the best the Schleck Brothers can hope for now

Stage 8:  Tübach → Schaffhausen, 167 km  Full Results and Report

Frank Schleck (Leopard-Trek) hasn't had the year he did last year at the Tour de Suisse, but he does sit 4th overall prior to the start in Tübach	Mountains, harrowing descents, endless narrow twisty roads and now pouring rain. This race throws a little bit of everything at the riders... And tomorrow a long TT.	The finishing circuit in Schaffhausen provided a site-seeing opportunity for Fabian Cancellara and the Schleck Brothers
400m to go: Daniel Oss leads his Liquigas teammate Peter Sagan through the final corner	Daniel Oss (Liquigas) with a great leadout	Peter Sagan (Liquigas) getting ready to jump with Matt Goss and Ben Swift tucked in behind
Peter Sagan (Liquigas) leading the charge to the line	The sprint finish in full flight while Daniel Oss looks on	Peter Sagan (Liquigas) had plenty of time to celebrate his second win of the week
The strongest rider in the race is also the youngest rider in the race (Peter Sagan is 21 years-old). Matthew Goss (HTC-Highroad) and Ben Swift (Sky) can only look on in awe.	Your Stage 8 winner, Peter Sagan (Liquigas) wins the only sprint of this year's race to go along with his mountain stage win earlier. Impressive.	Damiano Cunego (Lampre-ISD) is getting comfortable in the role of race leader
One more set of kisses before Sunday's decisive 32 km TT that could knock the smile off his face	Why such tall podium women?

Stage 9:  Schaffhausen 32 km ITT  Full Results and Report

On a strongman's course, it wasn't surprising that the World Champ Fabian Cancellara (Leopard-Trek) set the best time	1st Fabian Cancellara (Leopard-Trek) 32 km in 41:01	3rd Levi Leipheimer (RadioShack) + 0:13
19th Steven Kruijswijk (Ned/Rabobank) + 1:38. Good enough to keep him on the podium for 3rd overall.	Damiano Cunego (Lampre-ISD) lost time to Levi Leipheimer at every checkpoint as expected	Damiano Cunego (Lampre-ISD) battling to the line, but he came up 4s short. He finished 39th + 2:19 and settled for 2nd overall.
Swiss hero Fabian Cancellara opens and closes this year's Tour de Suisse with TT wins	Levi Leipheimer (RadioShack) TT'ed to the top spot today donning the Yellow Jersey when it counted most	Levi Leipheimer (RadioShack) tasting his 'biggest win ever' at the ripe racing age of 38
Your 2011 Tour de Suisse podium: 3rd Steven Kruijswijk (Rabobank) + 1:02, 1st Levi Leipheimer (RadioShack), 2nd Damiano Cunego (Lampre-ISD) + 0:04