Tour de Suisse (st. 8)

Movistar Team's two leaders get safely through fast-paced penultimate stage's circuit in Bellinzona, will start Sunday's time trial in 2nd and 7th overall.

Arnaud Démare (GFC) won at the end of a very quick stage eight in the 2018 Tour de Suisse, over 123km and six laps of a circuit in Bellinzona (Ticino). The Movistar Team had only one goal in keeping their leaders, Nairo Quintana and Mikel Landa, well protected on a course fully suited for sprinters.

The five other Blues covered the Spaniard and the Colombian perfectly, both crossing the line together with race elader Richie Porte (BMC) to stay within the same margins overall obtained at Friday’s mountain stage. Nairo sits in 2nd place, 17″ behind the Aussie and 36″ over fourth place, while Mikel, 7th at 1’31”, is located 39″ behind the podium.

A very flat course in Bellizona (34km), with some slopes and technical, urban sections but otherwise fine for the specialists, will decide the fate of the Telefónica-backed squad in a race where they’ve already got one fantastic stage win.

⏱ TT start times (Sunday 17th; all local, CEST) — 14.06 Bennati, 14.22 Oliveira, 14.29 De la Parte, 14.44 Rojas, 14.47 Amador, 15.24 Landa, 15.34 Quintana.