Bauke Mollema won the second stage of the 2013 Tour de Suisse with a solo victory at the summit of Crans Montana, the signature climb of the race.
Mollema upset the careful work of Garmin-Sharp, where Ryder Hesjedal looked set to claim the stage victory and race lead after Ireland’s Dan Martin had softened up the opposition.
Martin rode clear of the peloton some 12km from the finish, and Hesjedal joined him after another kilometre.
The pair had Astana’s Tanel Kangert for company, giving a further demonstration of the excellent form exhibited at the Giro, but even he had no answer for Hesjedal’s attack, and with six kilometres remaining, the Canadian was 30 seconds clear.
A string of attacks from former Team Sky rider, Lars Petter Nordhaug (Blanco Pro Cycling), failed to dent Hesjedal’s lead, but did shell Andy Schleck (RadioShack-Leopard) from the bunch.
Three kilometres from home, however, the Canadian seemed finally to wilt. Perahps sensing the Canadian’s fatigue, Simon Spilak (Katusha), stage four winner at the Tour de Romandie, BMC Racing’s Tejay Van Gaarderen, and the diminutive Domenico Pozzovivo (Ag2r-La Mondiale), all made attacks, but Martin chased down each of them.
As he approached the flamme rouge, Hesjedal had no more than 15 seconds in his pocket, and Mollema launched after him just 100 metres after passing beneath the red kite.
Hesjedal was unable even to hold on for second place, and was passed by Matthias Frank (BMC Racing) and Thibaut Pinot (FDJ). All three men crossed the line 11 seconds after Mollema.
Race leader, Cameron Meyer (Orica-GreenEDGE), rode intelligently to gain another day in yellow, after stemming his losses on terrain not suited to his skills as a time trialist, crit racer and five-time track world champion.
The Australian finished just 24 seconds behind Mollema, and leads Hesjedal by three seconds on GC. Frank is third, just five seconds back.
Meyer’s lead looks set to be short-lived. Double Giro stage winner, Giovanni Visconti (Movistar), is fourth overall at 12 seconds, while Pinot, stage eight winner at last year’s Tour de France, is fifth at 16 seconds.
Martin’s efforts carried him to twelfth overall, some 42 seconds behind Meyer, and two seconds and one place behind the defending champion, Rui Costa (Movistar).
Tomorrow’s 163km stage from Quinto to Crans-Montana includes the 2,478m Nufenenpass.
Tour de Suisse 2013: stage one – report
1) Bauke Mollema (NED) – Blanco Pro Cycling – 2.43.00
2) Mathias Frank (SUI) – BMC Racing +11″
3) Thibaut Pinot (FRA) – FDJ
4) Ryder Hesjedal (CAN) – Garmin-Sharp
5) Johann Schopp (SUI) – IAM Cycling
6) Daniel Martin (IRL) – Garmin-Sharp
7) Roman Kreuziger (CZE) – Saxo-Tinkoff
8) Michele Scarponi (ITA) – Lampre-Merida
9) Giovanni Visconti (ITA) – Movistar +19″
10) Domenico Pozzovivo (ITA) – Ag2r-La Mondiale
General classification
1) Cameron Meyer (AUS) – 2.53.06
2) Ryder Hesjedal (CAN) +3″
3) Mathias Frank (SUI) – BMC Racing +5″
4) Giovanni Visconti (ITA) – Movistar +12″
5) Thibaut Pinot (FRA)- FDJ +16″
6) Roman Kreuziger (CZE) – Saxo-Tinkoff +28″
7) Moreno Moser (ITA) – Cannondale +34″
8) Bauke Mollema (NED) – Blanco Pro Cycling – ST
9) Alexsandr Dyachekno (KAZ) – Astana +35″
10) Domenico Pozzovivo (ITA) – Ag2r-La Mondiale +36″
