{"id":746585,"date":"2026-06-19T11:45:14","date_gmt":"2026-06-19T11:45:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/746585\/"},"modified":"2026-06-19T11:45:14","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T11:45:14","slug":"as-it-happened-tour-de-suisse-women-stage-3-sees-bunch-sprint-decide-one-flat-day-of-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/746585\/","title":{"rendered":"As it happened: Tour de Suisse Women stage 3 sees bunch sprint decide one flat day of race"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Refresh <\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T10:54:12.925Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-e9935235-ad64-4684-8d73-a494426380ec\">And a last-minute add on that it&#8217;s just come through that Lauren Dickson did complete the stage. She was over 15 minutes down, but as her crash took place inside the five-kilometre safety zone, her second place overall remains as stands. No update yet, though, regarding her possible injuries.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T10:50:33.312Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-cbdb3370-65a5-46e8-8c20-e5aeefb86ec7\">That wraps it up for Cyclingnews live coverage of the Tour de Suisse Women stage 3, but there will be more coverage tomorrow and through to the end of the race.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T10:49:42.331Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-17f4cef7-13cb-4c1f-9937-aa31b251d13d\">So what&#8217;s happening tomorrow in the Tour de Suisse Women?<br \/>The one time trial of the five-day race is 23.7 kilometres long, starting and finishing in Aarburg. Undulating terrain but no classified climbs, this is the clear chance for the time triallers to gain some time before Sunday&#8217;s toughest mountain stage, the last of the race.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T10:47:39.913Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-42dcf900-6f36-4f99-8e3b-cbdc7c19fc98\">Meantime Femke De Vries (Visma-Lease a Bike) continues to lead in the points and mountains classifications, with teammate Sarah Van Dam heading the BYR competition.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T10:46:37.155Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6e4f7dd8-2824-4867-b068-617a7fe46f31\">A shot of race leader Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ) during the stage. She&#8217;ll be in yellow again tomorrow.<\/p>\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:66.60%;\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/63RbeUwCPWrxJzrmu2rAAB.jpg\" alt=\"2026 Tour de Suisse Women stage 3: race leader Elisa Longo Borghini during the day's racing\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/63RbeUwCPWrxJzrmu2rAAB.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/63RbeUwCPWrxJzrmu2rAAB.jpg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\"\/>\n<\/p>\n<p>2026 Tour de Suisse Women stage 3: race leader Elisa Longo Borghini during the day&#8217;s racing (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T10:41:51.353Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-5e0033dc-1d32-4832-af9c-30190bc8819f\">The race website now reports Marlen Reusser (Movistar) is back on her top five placing on GC after some initial confusion to her placing as she finished a little down on the remainder of the peloton after things split apart late on. However, there is no sign (yet) of whether Lauren Dickson (FDJ United-SUEZ) finished the course, and whether she&#8217;ll retain her second place overall after that late crash just under five kilometres from the line.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T10:37:41.569Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6dea8e36-c343-4ec2-9328-6dcfbaab1a6d\">Some words from the stage 3 winner Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt (Canyon-SRAM):<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;My whole team did an amazing job, and truly I couldn&#8217;t have done it without them, so credits to them. I was a bit nervous when that break went and we didn&#8217;t have anyone in it, but we controlled it quite nicely and managed to bring them back with just enough time before the finish.&#8221;<br \/>&#8220;Then my teammates did an amazing leadout for me.&#8221;<br \/>[Tomorrow&#8217;s TT stage] is going to be super hard with the heat, it&#8217;s been really hard every with the heat, also the climbing, but I&#8217;m looking forward to tomorrow, it should hopefully be a good day for me, but you never know what can happen.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T10:27:33.499Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f23f9c7d-0a0f-4fd1-8939-7e6c0353caa7\">Here&#8217;s our full analysis and report on today&#8217;s stage:<\/p>\n<p><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/tour-de-suisse-women-zoe-backstedt-stuns-the-field-with-scorching-long-range-sprint-to-win-stage-3\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/tour-de-suisse-women-zoe-backstedt-stuns-the-field-with-scorching-long-range-sprint-to-win-stage-3\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/tour-de-suisse-women-zoe-backstedt-stuns-the-field-with-scorching-long-range-sprint-to-win-stage-3\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tour de Suisse Women: Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt stuns the field with scorching long-range sprint to win stage 3<\/a><\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T10:25:21.816Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-07b4c62d-f5e7-4536-8ef7-d02f6166d103\">And don&#8217;t forget that B\u00e4ckstedt is another great option for tomorrow&#8217;s TT as well.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T10:23:57.736Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-92fe4933-21bc-430f-bbb8-2ecef53658f3\">Niewiadoma gave her the initial starting point to go for it, but after surfing wheels of her rivals, it was Backstedt&#8217;s decision to surprise her rivals and go for her second win of the season, her first at WorldTour level in a bunch sprint and the ninth of her career.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T10:21:53.845Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-a7c101fc-82c5-4f5e-941b-84d45305db0d\">Predictions of a bunch sprint were correct, then, but that eight-rider move was a very dangerous one with Le Court and Berthet in it, and the peloton had to work hard to get everything under control.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T10:19:17.847Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c969b545-1cec-403c-9001-a5a8c2529f5c\">No change to the overall lead, with Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ) continuing atop the GC for a second straight day.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T10:18:39.507Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-e3a9ba15-bd65-45ba-951e-e97e706f0d90\">Lily Williams (Human Powered Health) and Shari Bossuyt (AG Insurance-Soudal) came home in second and third.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T10:14:53.169Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-eb1e8f7d-403b-4e30-a2e8-36aebbe61e33\">And here&#8217;s a first shot of the winner<\/p>\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:66.70%;\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/SbKSaiq6KfqdEMMT92xBUc.jpg\" alt=\"Tour de Suisse Women stage 3: Zoe B&amp;auml;ckstedt wins\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/SbKSaiq6KfqdEMMT92xBUc.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/SbKSaiq6KfqdEMMT92xBUc.jpg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\"\/>\n<\/p>\n<p>Tour de Suisse Women stage 3: Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt wins (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T10:11:45.327Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-df9201f0-2fbd-47a3-a4d1-006d35fce8b4\">Riders coming across the finish in dribs and drabs, looks like there could have been some kind of incident late on, so the bunch was smaller than usual in what was a chaotic finale.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T10:09:56.077Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-47455338-7297-455c-859b-581fc5b5cd1c\">She got a tremendous leadout from teammate Kasia Niewiadoma and went from distance, winning by several bikelengths. Simply spectacular.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T10:08:49.871Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-winner\"\/>Winner<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-9fe0357d-9770-4af3-b13b-aa811f93f68a\"> Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt (Canyon-SRAM) wins stage 3 of the Tour de Suisse Women<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T10:06:15.702Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-50255753-f4ea-4452-a2f6-c93bfa8125c3\">And she gets the win.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T10:05:57.918Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-95b9b4ce-753f-4390-8deb-abfde2ac132d\">The bunch move into the final straight, Zoe Backstedt going from distance<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T10:05:24.355Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2a1a3df2-686a-412e-bcd1-1bb92d5de3ae\">Kim Le Court-Pienaar working for Bossuyt<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T10:05:06.965Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-23fc2418-4734-42bc-96b5-2c6ee3a27e4e\">Canyon SRAM now take over<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T10:04:34.914Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f9cb8ed5-507a-4e8b-88d7-e8b08eaef09b\">Meanwhile Liv Jayco AlUa are leading the sprint into the final kileomtre<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T10:04:16.822Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-two-kilometres-to-go\"\/>Two kilometres to go<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2d57a5a0-f947-4494-8e3b-1ca6664321a4\">Dickson was inside the five kilometre safety zone, so her GC position should be safe.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T10:03:35.757Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-d4ba3e85-ebe2-466b-95c1-79a306e816da\">Unclear how the crash happened, around two or three riders down, but it looked like Dickson struck the barriers.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T10:02:40.473Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f8e4d310-4143-4bf9-af28-c81b4b241344\">Around 60 riders or so in the front group<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T10:01:50.565Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-0512a8a6-f9e6-41c6-9fb3-407b349eced1\">Crash: Lauren Dickson, second overall, falls heavily, but gets up quickly.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T10:01:13.183Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c4da69f3-a977-472c-96ef-8f468e98508a\">Broad, dry, country roads for now, very straight so relatively easy for the bunch to keep things under control.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T10:00:33.391Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-5-kilometres-to-go\"\/>5 kilometres to go<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-a4097371-8356-4efa-8817-68167dffa3ca\">Human Power, working for Lily Williams are also on the front.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T09:59:31.498Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ab471459-b493-4c60-94a2-d90385d7f66d\">The finishing straight is reportedly 400 metres long, which sounds ideal for the bunch sprinters.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T09:59:04.258Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-7bb9cc3a-40be-4c34-84f6-51d9d62f1d14\">The road is ever so slightly rising all the way to the finish, and there are a few roundabouts and some road furniture en route, but that likely won&#8217;t stop a bunch sprint.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T09:58:17.573Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-9ba4d385-9baf-4667-ac0d-313acfcf6891\">Race leader Elisa Longo Borghini is close to the front, clearly intent on staying out of trouble.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T09:57:35.367Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ebf9a848-0e30-4273-8ccc-e5ca1408689f\">Broad, sweeping roads for now, and various trains are keeping things under control on the front: EF, FDJ United, UAE And Liv AIUla Jayco, the latter working for Letizia Paternoster.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T09:54:54.832Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-asencio-caught\"\/>Asencio caught<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-56b08f89-5869-45f2-841f-b502f98f22c5\">Nine kilometres form the line, Asencio has been caught.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T09:54:17.349Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-9094556a-8908-4214-b89c-d46fade2f196\">Some counter-attackers tried to follow Asencio up the road, but that didn&#8217;t work out. Lidl-Trek, EF and AG Insurance are trying to control things, but it&#8217;s not straightforward.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T09:51:56.115Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-11-kilometres-to-go\"\/>11 kilometres to go<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-9b8c29b0-55ec-4496-8f91-c23e0a019f0b\">Asencio is really going for it, she has nearly 30 seconds advantage<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T09:50:36.220Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c54c0fee-e396-4425-97f2-ab293c959c0e\">Meanwhile Asencio is ploughing on and has 18 seconds advantage.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T09:50:17.437Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b2c07fa0-d14e-40ca-83df-3bbf0707f278\">Results from the second sprint:<br \/>1. Lauren Dickson <br \/>2. Marie Le Net<br \/>3. Marlen Reusser<\/p>\n<p>Three useful seconds for Dickson, then, who&#8217;s lying second overall after stage 2.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T09:49:08.553Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-15-kilometres-to-go-attack\"\/>15 kilometres to go &#8211; attack<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-befd7dd1-af2c-4c0c-bf5f-a2eef82b1376\">Attack by Lauren Asencio (Ma Petite Entreprise) as the peloton regrouped after the second sprint. She&#8217;s got about 15 seconds advantage.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T09:47:00.586Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b698e6d2-5e4d-4280-83ee-2ff705a04fcd\">Results from the first sprint at Sevelen, Km 103.8<br \/>1. Femke Markus <br \/>2. Marlen Reusser<br \/>3. Elisa Longo Borghini<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T09:45:25.111Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-sprint\"\/>Sprint<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-5f865d85-f396-41e4-9fe6-f50de241c170\">Femke Markus (SDWorx-Protime) wins the first Tissot sprint, but race leader Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ) fights for the second and in the raise in pace, Markus is caught.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T09:44:02.905Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-5d0f3f34-ba70-45a0-b9d7-b0a989cfe74d\">All of the break bar Markus is caught<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T09:43:09.721Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-7f9a6948-63a1-416f-8dd2-ecb375780437\">Femke Markus (SD Worx-Protime) launches a lone move<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T09:42:46.178Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-a2a2dca0-3622-4874-b5c8-cdf1036f745b\">The second of three sprints of the day looms and there&#8217;s a lot more hesitating in the seven as they approach. The peloton are fast closing in, though.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T09:41:56.011Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-e8c5f12e-7091-43dd-9928-8f1bf644f820\">The bunch in hot pursuit&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:66.60%;\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ayWkGfr5R4xjomhSNMcwJA.jpg\" alt=\"Tour de Suisse Women stage 3: the peloton chasing the break\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ayWkGfr5R4xjomhSNMcwJA.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ayWkGfr5R4xjomhSNMcwJA.jpg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\"\/>\n<\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T09:40:26.054Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-1472cfb1-a2ae-4c77-999b-1aeba656b9ff\">Femke Markus (SDWorx-Protime) provides Adegeest&#8217;s last-ditch bid with some more support and the gap is back up to 25 seconds again. Megan Arens (Picnic PostNL) has sat up and will be caught soon.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T09:38:47.734Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-00ca9527-cf8f-4a28-9372-e76dce0b909e\">Loes Adegeest (Lidl-Trek) makes one last effort to pump some life into the break, followed by Le Court-Pienaar<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T09:37:58.064Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-417c2417-6ad3-435a-a32c-67567df20476\">Lots of hesitating in the break now. 25 seconds and dropping.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T09:37:17.462Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-cd6579bf-c6fe-445b-89cf-0b287ce2cde1\">More than making it to the finish, the gap is falling so fast that the question is whether the eight will make it as far as the last two intermediate sprints of the stage at Sevelen, now just a few kilometres ahead.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T09:35:26.038Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-758f16a8-62ae-4dbe-9ad9-e730b2d34c59\">The gap has dropped some more, to 45 seconds. Bunch sprint ahoy.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T09:29:07.566Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-57a069f5-62a6-455a-8181-c968fbf19ad9\">Often after an attack breaking up the collaboration in the break that fails to work out, there&#8217;s a lot of hesitation about working together afterwards. But this time round, that&#8217;s not the case and the eight are still pulling together steadily.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T09:27:28.508Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2ce0fe70-30c6-4f9f-b78a-d31b805ccb62\">Berthet&#8217;s been brought back very quickly by Loes Adegeest (Lidl-Trek) at the head of the seven riders remaining in the break.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T09:26:09.072Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-attack-in-the-break\"\/>Attack in the break<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2712b9c1-4e10-47a9-99ad-ffd1a12d2ab5\">Juliette Berthet (FDJ United-SUEZ) darts away up a rise through the feed zone, 32 kilometres out<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T09:24:10.257Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-294dce1e-f544-4605-b94a-8f3e13034f52\">If we do end up with a bunch sprint, Shari Bossuyt (AG Insurance-Soudal, already the winner of a Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a stage this year, is likely one top candidate and so too is Human Powered Health&#8217;s American sprinter Lily Williams.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T09:17:27.127Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-786e9271-23eb-4a03-9833-494aa26834dc\">The gap is now shrinking more steadily as the race pounds along some typically broad, well-surfaced Swiss highway. 1:06 the gap.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T09:16:41.220Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-still-to-come\"\/>Still to come<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-44bfc106-e9c4-48bc-bb77-e8951ba939dd\">Km 103.8: Sprint Sevelen (Tissot)<\/p>\n<p>Km 104.8: Sprint Sevelen (Tissot)<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-44bfc106-e9c4-48bc-bb77-e8951ba939dd-2\">Km 120.8 Finish: Bad Ragaz<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T09:13:13.538Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-630946bb-99c1-439b-8cdd-f090416467b2\">A reminder of the day&#8217;s eight leaders: <\/p>\n<p>Kim Le Court-Pienaar (AG Insurance-Soudal)<\/p>\n<p>Alice Towers (EF Education-Oatly)<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-630946bb-99c1-439b-8cdd-f090416467b2-2\">Juliette Berthet (FDJ United-SUEZ)<\/p>\n<p>Loes Adegeest (Lidl-Trek)<\/p>\n<p>Ruby Roseman-Gannon (Liv AlUla Jayco)<\/p>\n<p>Megan Arens (Picnic PostNL)<\/p>\n<p>Femke Markus (SDWorx-Protime)<\/p>\n<p>Katharina Sadnik (Visma-Lease a Bike)<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T09:11:44.625Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2d272085-7fd9-40d8-b803-1f904f85a424\">A fast-moving bunch, led by ADQ, blasts through at 1:16.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T09:10:54.300Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-a852a941-17e9-4e21-92b3-77d1e4ae52ba\">But to be honest, it&#8217;s as if it wasn&#8217;t there. Rather than time bonuses or points, the eight&#8217;s only goal is to stay away as long as possible, and they simply thunder through with no fighting to be first.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T09:09:50.909Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8ef00755-f1b6-4099-9075-7f3cc0de9604\">We&#8217;re coming towards the first sprint of the day at R\u00fcthi<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T09:07:44.939Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-a4df8279-2197-4d77-ba2c-fec5b054533e\">Canyon-SRAM and Human Powered Health both helping UAE Team ADQ on the front now, but for the moment the gap is staying stubbornly around the 1:20-1:30 mark<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T09:01:10.395Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-20a493f8-0d73-48a0-b0ca-3a6242231850\">A shot of the eight<\/p>\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:69.34%;\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/69mpcwWGEhbb85ndgzQdhP.jpg\" alt=\"2026 Tour de Suisse Women stage 3: the eight riders in the break of the day.\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/69mpcwWGEhbb85ndgzQdhP.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/69mpcwWGEhbb85ndgzQdhP.jpg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\"\/>\n<\/p>\n<p>2026 Tour de Suisse Women stage 3: the eight riders in the break of the day. (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T08:59:44.455Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-the-chase-begins-in-earnest\"\/>The chase begins in earnest<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8ef36191-2a5c-46a3-a991-37586ebf8d7c\">Into the final 50 kilometres and there&#8217;s a much more concerted effort coming from the bunch now to bring back in the eight, who are stepping up their pace in turn as well.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T08:57:53.544Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-a94b0713-a629-44f0-8e1a-fb74ef459462\">While Kim Le Court-Pienaar (AG Insurance-Soudal) is the biggest hypothetical threat on GC, the bunch won&#8217;t have failed to notice that Juliette Berthet (FDJ United-SUEZ) is also in the move. Fifth in the Tour de Suisse back in 2024 and a former Giro d&#8217;Italia Donne podium finish, she&#8217;s definitely someone the GC teams won&#8217;t want to get too much time either.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T08:56:25.144Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-eca749e5-b9e5-4d6f-a698-cdecaaa8898b\">Gap is dropping now to 1:25<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T08:47:54.547Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-9293918b-a90b-4638-8237-6b9ccaf4b67f\">There was only ever 1,094 metres of vertical climbing on this stage and there&#8217;s only about 400 metres left to go in that total in the last 60-odd kilometres remaining. But it&#8217;s worth noting that the last kilometre finish is actually slightly uphill. Just a couple of percentage points at most, but it could definitely have a knock-on effect on any hypothetical bunch sprint.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T08:43:52.957Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-1-38-the-gap\"\/>1:38 the gap<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-87c3d423-63cd-4939-aaff-62f47abd2f73\">With 62 kilometres to go<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T08:43:14.066Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-a6dca014-5a15-46c5-99b9-ee86d0c10691\">Some words from race leader Elisa Longo Borghini courtesy of <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eurosport.es\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.eurosport.es\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\">Eurosport <\/a>this morning from the start, pointing out she&#8217;s never, despite a long and distinguished career, never been at the top of GC in the Tour de Suisse before.<br \/>&#8220;It&#8217;s my first yellow jersey and it&#8217;s pretty cool to wear it, I hope to keep it by the end of the day.&#8221;<br \/>&#8220;It could be a breakaway stage, there are not so many sprinters, but we&#8217;ll see.&#8221;<br \/>&#8220;For sure the TT will be tough and the last stage too, so staying safe and saving energy is the priority today.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T08:38:48.444Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c5fdd67f-a6bc-4889-9253-a22bb093b5bb\">Riders going back for bottles from their team cars. It&#8217;s looking like it&#8217;ll be a warm day again in Switzerland.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T08:38:05.335Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-7210a0a2-7c85-49a4-8ae9-33cf339696ee\">Take that back about Katharina Sadnik (Visma-Lease a Bike) not working in the break by the way, she&#8217;s just done a couple of good turns in the group of eight, and their advantage is back out to 1:25.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T08:35:37.725Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-bf841971-25ba-4d7a-a09c-64d525e2ca61\">On sunny days like this and with scenery like this, you can think of worse places in the world to hold a bike race&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:66.70%;\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/6pAyFPthJQmUVX5ZN7xUVf.jpg\" alt=\"2026 Tour de Suisse women: the peloton on stage 3\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/6pAyFPthJQmUVX5ZN7xUVf.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/6pAyFPthJQmUVX5ZN7xUVf.jpg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\"\/>\n<\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T08:33:00.921Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-a1482337-d17d-458d-be5e-7838b90a5e3a\">The peloton trundles over the top in its turn, 1:13 back.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T08:32:01.179Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b9c53547-a83c-435f-b77f-272a6cefd752\">Megan Arens (Picnic PostNL) takes top points on the Kobelwald, with zero opposition from the other seven. The gap&#8217;s been squeezed to 1:24.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T08:30:13.852Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c6374633-e1bf-411b-8092-6b0c7a21c2ba\">They&#8217;re riding at a steady pace on the climb&#8217;s 13% slopes, which is kind of logical given they all want to stay together to make sure the break stays away as long as possible.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T08:28:31.353Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-e3986092-3db4-4df7-a48e-a6e88b1d6060\">The eight breakaways are now on the one classified climb of the day, the Kobelwald (Cat.3, 1km, 10%).<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T08:27:30.385Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-71-kms-to-go\"\/>71 kms to go<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b8778dc7-840b-4e04-97a0-69099c1dddb3\">1:55 the gap<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T08:26:50.953Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8ea67886-cdc7-4704-90d9-1c6cf835f08e\">Two abandons have been reported by the organisers, both due to a crash earlier on the stage: Aromitalia Vaiano riders Lucia Brillante and Petra Zsanko.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T08:23:03.720Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-d63da119-bd14-41f2-9641-d1f00e6206b4\">The only rider who doesn&#8217;t seem to be collaborating in the break is Visma-Lease a Bike&#8217;s Katharina Sadnik, which might well be because she is protecting the interests of teammate Sarah Van Dam, Best Young Rider, and third overall.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T08:14:55.554Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-le-court-pienaar-race-leader-on-the-road\"\/>Le Court-Pienaar race leader on the road<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2c24b550-6fcc-4017-81d2-eb2faa0f4ceb\">Having dropped to 45 seconds, the gap for the eight ahead is now 1:35, making breakaway Kim Le Court-Pienaar (AG Insurance-Soudal) &#8211; 1:13 down on GC- race leader on the road.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T08:10:22.372Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ee53234a-8be0-497a-92e5-44c1ca799dd2\">Gap for the eight ahead is currently hovering around 1:05 seconds.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T08:02:57.716Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-351d6566-260c-47eb-8bb6-0e443f358d82\">And here&#8217;s a shot of Arens on the attack early on, before she was joined by the seven other breakaways.<\/p>\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:66.70%;\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/sCKdTumdv9agH2658ctcYF.jpg\" alt=\"2026 Tour de Suisse Women stage 3: Megan Arens on the attack\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/sCKdTumdv9agH2658ctcYF.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/sCKdTumdv9agH2658ctcYF.jpg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\"\/>\n<\/p>\n<p>2026 Tour de Suisse Women stage 3: Megan Arens on the attack (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T08:00:15.276Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-gap-coming-down\"\/>Gap coming down<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-75f1297b-4513-45ed-805c-70514f82ebef\">The gap is shrinking to just 45 seconds<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T07:59:09.976Z<\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Today\u2019s objective: \ud83d\udc90 for @urskazigart \ud83e\udef6\ud83c\udffc#AGInsuranceSoudal I \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udded @tds pic.twitter.com\/ojpzS6Bh0t<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/cantworkitout\/status\/2067875987962884284\" data-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/cantworkitout\/status\/2067875987962884284\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">June 19, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T07:57:02.738Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-899c8a67-4b96-4b62-9dc0-41d8ed7ba335\">UAE and Canyon SRAM are leading the bunch.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T07:56:23.154Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c358d38d-759f-4f4b-b6a0-d8c63de883c3\">Current gap at 94 kilometres to go for the eight leaders is 1:00<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T07:55:31.463Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-32d642b7-a20e-44ec-95f8-61824006da2f\">Le Court-Pienaar is the best placed on GC, at 1:13 on race leader Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ) so likely they won&#8217;t let it go far too up the road.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T07:54:52.196Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-3ddbe9bd-60c8-4136-b3bd-0984ceee3fdd\">Here&#8217;s the eight riders in the break:<br \/>Kim Le Court-Pienaar (AG Insurance-Soudal)<\/p>\n<p>Alice Towers (EF Education-Oatly)<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-3ddbe9bd-60c8-4136-b3bd-0984ceee3fdd-2\">Juliette Berthet (FDJ United-SUEZ)<\/p>\n<p>Loes Adegeest (Lidl-Trek)<\/p>\n<p>Ruby Roseman-Gannon (Liv AlUla Jayco)<\/p>\n<p>Megan Arens (Picnic PostNL)<\/p>\n<p>Femke Markus (SDWorx-Protime)<\/p>\n<p>Katharina Sadnik (Visma-Lease a Bike)<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T07:49:37.742Z<br \/>\nOn today&#8217;s menu<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-a91df721-9109-4c01-bfb9-8653c82df136\">Km 50.8: Climb: Kobelwald (Cat.3, 1km, 10%)<\/p>\n<p>Km 79.1: Bonus Sprint: R\u00fcthi<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-a91df721-9109-4c01-bfb9-8653c82df136-2\">Km 82.5: Sprint: Cugnaso<\/p>\n<p>Km 103.8: Sprint Sevelen (Tissot)<\/p>\n<p>Km 104.8: Sprint Sevelen (Tissot)<\/p>\n<p>Km 120.8 Finish: Bad Ragaz<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T07:47:50.419Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-a2810838-5d9d-4c9c-b0bb-d2af7c0a51a7\">Arens joined by the seven chasesrs, so that&#8217;s eight riders in the lead.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T07:47:21.434Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ea23302b-ad38-4719-9c33-ad13cb2af154\">Meantime here&#8217;s a shot of the race classification leaders from today&#8217;s start.<\/p>\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:66.70%;\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/fT2CS3pGa8kJtBg7ygCoB9.jpg\" alt=\"Tour de Suisse Women 2026: race leaders at the start of stage 3\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/fT2CS3pGa8kJtBg7ygCoB9.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/fT2CS3pGa8kJtBg7ygCoB9.jpg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\"\/>\n<\/p>\n<p>Tour de Suisse Women 2026: race leaders at the start of stage 3 (Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T07:45:15.527Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-83cfe280-d539-424a-aff2-8377e9c1ed38\">Seven riders closing down on the one race leader, Arens, just 20 seconds back. The main peloton is at 55 seconds.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T07:44:35.684Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-d1520341-f130-4c34-a727-1caa689ee555\">Good news. All riders involved in the crash have restarted, according to race radio.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T07:44:18.568Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-4a52623e-de96-4b2b-93b3-8d9aa0d4f8a6\">Enjoying our live race coverage? Subscribe to Cyclingnews for an all-access pass to our unrivalled reporting of WorldTour racing, bike tech and exclusive in-depth features. Plus, access to the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on-the-go!<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T07:43:47.135Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-21eab42b-5237-4da0-b0ba-36d3a11cfac8\">Some riders dropped after the crash and seven riders counter-attacking.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T07:42:36.159Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b2f0ac70-e893-454f-9244-eaae65043843\">Crash in the bunch. At least five riders down.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T07:40:37.526Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f859d3d0-dbc6-49a1-96ec-c9fa0cdd95e3\">Gap has dropped to 25 seconds and there&#8217;s a small group of counter-attackers, six riders going clear.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T07:36:59.654Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-108-km-to-go\"\/>108 km to go <\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-709b395e-d8c5-42a2-96e3-45e7c9b58a00\">Counter-attack by a lone rider, but the peloton wasn&#8217;t too happy about that. 45 seconds the gap for Arens.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T07:34:58.524Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-7da37ee2-fa6f-44b4-9742-defdb7e61f36\">Gap is up to 45 seconds. Getting to the now-or-never point for anybody who wants to bridge across to Arens for what could be the break of the day.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T07:34:25.390Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-d4301e50-dac0-4e3e-ad93-9bd18b85292c\">One confirmed DNS for now by the way: Ur\u0161ka \u017digart (AG Insurance-Soudal). \u017digart completed the stage, <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/urska-zigart-in-hospital-with-fractured-jaw-following-crash-on-uneven-road-surface-at-tour-de-suisse\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/urska-zigart-in-hospital-with-fractured-jaw-following-crash-on-uneven-road-surface-at-tour-de-suisse\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/urska-zigart-in-hospital-with-fractured-jaw-following-crash-on-uneven-road-surface-at-tour-de-suisse\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">but a terrible crash late on left her with a fractured jaw.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T07:33:17.178Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-56323bda-96ae-4cde-b208-a35f567a3fba\">We&#8217;re off the descent of the Sankt Luzisteig and the peloton is slowing notably according to race radio. Gap still at 30 seconds for Arens.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T07:29:23.624Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-61bea5a2-0a16-4215-944b-9bf48bcfebc8\">Arens is 6:05 down on GC so she is certainly not an overall threat, but it remains to be seen if more riders get across on the flatter part that follows. Otherwise, this could be a very long solo move.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T07:25:57.212Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-d9f1ecba-f8af-423b-b414-04ea433a0110\">She&#8217;s on the descent of the Sankt Luzisteig, after which we have a mostly flat stage. Bunch very strung out right now.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T07:25:28.069Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-3ab866df-486c-4874-b57f-eddcf6483773\">Arens gap is now up to 30 seconds.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T07:23:13.282Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-e58dd96a-06e2-4d97-a5ed-95a0c26a1ffa\">One early attacker, Megan Arens (Picnic Post NL), with a 20-second gap. Some riders dropped on the steep slopes of the Sankt Luzisteig<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T07:20:54.528Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-5631ef3e-41dc-4cba-b215-d1046c2c5985\">Meantime here&#8217;s the overall standings after yesterday&#8217;s stage, courtesy of <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/firstcycling.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-url=\"https:\/\/firstcycling.com\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\">FirstCycling<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:46.88%;\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/pVrfRvSjrJJMxf3jXh7JHK.png\" alt=\"Tour de Suisse Women GC rankings after stage 2\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/pVrfRvSjrJJMxf3jXh7JHK.png\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/pVrfRvSjrJJMxf3jXh7JHK.png\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\"\/>\n<\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: FirstCycling)<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T07:18:22.702Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-79fd3d52-b145-4023-9bdd-ca28580a213e\">Bunch still together in the opening few hundred metres, but given there&#8217;s an unclassified climb about to start, that may well change soon.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T07:17:49.544Z<br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-racing-underway\"\/>Racing underway<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2a4c05ab-86e6-48cc-ba4f-a3580dc50f4a\">And stage 3 of the 2026 Tour de Suisse Women, Bad Ragaz-Bad Ragaz, 120.8 km long and with 1094 metres of elevation gain, is officially underway.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T07:16:31.119Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-11a63a57-10bb-4dd5-81e2-696f1c4e50ac\">While we&#8217;re waiting for the start, here&#8217;s our report on yesterday&#8217;s dramatic stage, which saw a second leader emerging in as many days and plenty of late attacks.<\/p>\n<p><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/tour-de-suisse-women-elisa-longo-borghini-wins-hilly-stage-2-and-takes-gc-lead-with-attack-on-final-climb-in-locarno\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/tour-de-suisse-women-elisa-longo-borghini-wins-hilly-stage-2-and-takes-gc-lead-with-attack-on-final-climb-in-locarno\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/tour-de-suisse-women-elisa-longo-borghini-wins-hilly-stage-2-and-takes-gc-lead-with-attack-on-final-climb-in-locarno\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tour de Suisse Women: Elisa Longo Borghini wins hilly stage 2 and takes GC lead with attack on final climb in Locarno<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:66.70%;\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/KojYWMZaZF6eP3ScGNfKFf.jpg\" alt=\"2026 Tour de Suisse women stage 2: Elisa Longo Borghini on the attack\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/KojYWMZaZF6eP3ScGNfKFf.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/KojYWMZaZF6eP3ScGNfKFf.jpg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\"\/>\n<\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T07:11:16.765Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-e5b0db5a-6c1f-4ca6-8d3f-295da3d14ef7\">Just over three kilometres of neutralised to ride before racing proper gets underway.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T07:10:28.377Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f3cdb924-a59e-4107-8173-db670d82cd84\">And the riders are now underway on the neutralised section.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T07:04:32.354Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-1c779d4e-45c5-41ea-a068-b8065ee8606b\">A reminder of our race classification leaders:<\/p>\n<p>GC: Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ)<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-1c779d4e-45c5-41ea-a068-b8065ee8606b-2\">Points: Femke de Vries (Visma-Lease a Bike)<\/p>\n<p>Mountains: Femke de Vries (Visma-Lease a Bike)<\/p>\n<p>BYR: Sarah Van Dam (Visma-Lease a Bike)<\/p>\n<p>Teams: EF Education-Oatly<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T06:57:45.031Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-93bd1efd-3483-4a71-a27d-0a361f8ed04b\">They&#8217;ll have a great chance to get away as soon as the flag drops at 0918 CET, too, given there&#8217;s a short but very steep opening climb, the Sankt Luzisteig (2km, 101%) right at the beginning. Curiously enough, it&#8217;s not classified for the mountains classification, but it&#8217;ll still hurt the legs and maybe act as a springboard for an early move.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T06:55:28.145Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-a2eddf00-e59e-48d4-b7b9-2e06bee9b52d\">The most likely option on the cards for today&#8217;s 120.8 kilometre stage is the one bunch sprint of the 2026 edition. But after two GC days and with a time trial and a whopping mountain stage this weekend, the breakaways will likely be equally keen to impact.<\/p>\n<p>2026-06-19T06:49:24.621Z<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ca4dae6f-927d-4b1a-9b21-b5429f4e804a\">The unofficial start is at 0910 CET with racing for real getting underway at 0918.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2683c8ad-98a2-444e-ac39-8dd590929e1b\">Hello and welcome to live coverage of stage 3 of the Tour de Suisse Women.<\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Refresh 2026-06-19T10:54:12.925Z And a last-minute add on that it&#8217;s just come through that Lauren Dickson did complete the&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":746586,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[569],"tags":[64,63,784,85],"class_list":["post-746585","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cycling","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-cycling","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/746585","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=746585"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/746585\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/746586"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=746585"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=746585"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=746585"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}