On the scene on the Tour de Suisse

This was my first time on the Tour de Suisse, and the race didn’t disappoint.

On stage two into Aesch, 23-year-old Andreas Leknessund received his first World Tour win, and regarded like he couldn’t imagine he’d received the stage.

Thirty-eight seconds later, Alberto Bettiol took the bunch dash for second, and regarded like he did imagine he’d received the stage.

Typically, when photographing bunch dash finishes, I can’t inform by means of the digital camera lens who’s profitable. That wasn’t an issue on stage three. Sagan was clearly out in entrance from fairly a means again, and he was already sitting up with a smile on his face whereas Coquard and Kristoff have been nonetheless of their bike throws.

On stage 4, the three-man break was nonetheless within the lead on the primary go by means of the gorgeous city of Brunnen, however the stage ultimately completed in a bunch dash received by Daryl Impey.

Alexander Vlasov received stage 5 and took the chief’s jersey. Apart from on the rostrum, although, he didn’t get an opportunity to put on that jersey, since he was one of many thirty riders who dropped out of the race earlier than the subsequent morning’s begin.

I watched stage seven from a scenic spot about midway up the 18-kilometer ending climb to Moosalp. The break stayed away that day, so the primary two riders who handed me, Fausto Masnada and Nico Denz, held on to complete fifth and first on the stage.

Subsequent got here Clement Champoussin and Jose Herrada, second and third on the stage.

The GC favorites have been nonetheless in a good-sized group at that time.

It was well worth the lengthy drive into Liechtenstein after which up the 13-k climb to Malbun to see certainly one of my favourite riders, Thibaut Pinot, take the stage win. Pinot had loads of time to have fun his solo victory on his option to the road, however the pressure of his efforts on such a scorching day confirmed after he crossed the road.

A closely bandaged Alexey Lutsenko was third on the stage.

Sergio Higuita rode into the chief’s jersey along with his fourth-place end on the stage, and Geraint Thomas was fifth.

The end space was plagued by exhausted riders searching for shade and hydration. Bling opted for a chilly water dousing adopted by a handful of gummy bears.

On his option to the rostrum, Pinot bumped into his teammate Antoine Duchesne, who had simply completed.

Usually, I get pleasure from photographing time trial levels, as a result of the enjoyable is unfold out over a number of hours, however within the 100-degree warmth (38 C) of Vaduz on Sunday, a number of hours out within the solar was the very last thing I wished. I stayed inside till the final minute, then watched the previous few riders are available in from a shady spot within the end space. So, right here’s a shot of Geraint Thomas cooling down after his GC-winning experience: