FDJ Cycling Team (Switzerland) - Press Release: In the opening stage of the Tour de Suisse this Sunday, Stefan Küng took quite a special win. First and foremost, the Swiss rider won at home in the 11-kilometre time trial around Frauenfeld. Besides that, the European TT champion claimed his very first victory in a WorldTour time trial since joining the Groupama-FDJ cycling team. It also makes it three wins for him this season.
“I always felt in control”, Stefan Küng:
Unlike the Critérium du Dauphiné, which ended under bright sunshine this Sunday, the Tour de Suisse started under gloomy weather in the canton of Thurgau, in the north part of the country. The weather conditions could therefore have an impact on the results in what was quite a technical time trial, including a dozen of turns. “According to the forecast, there was one moment where the weather could have been better, and many teams had chosen the same time slot for their leader,” said Franck Pineau. “But in the end, almost everyone competed the time trial in the rain and on wet roads”. Naturally named as one of the stage favourites, Stefan Küng started shortly before 4 pm. Back then, the best time (12’04) belonged to his fellow-countryman Stefan Bissegger, winner of the Paris-Nice time trial. The bar was certainly high, but still reachable. However, one had to make the most of every part of the circuit. “Stefan went so fast in the corners,” said Franck Pineau. “I have rarely been so fast in the rain. Really, it was super quick. He scared me a little, but he seemed really in control. It felt like the bike was glued to the road so it wouldn’t slip.”
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