An epic win for Vladimir Isaychev in the fifth stage of “Tour de Suisse”, 192,7 kilometers long from Olten/Trimbach to Gansingen: Katusha Team’s Russian rider stayed in a breakaway for 177 kilometers and finally won in the sprint of 6 riders. Seven riders, in fact, managed to leave the main group after 15 kilometers: Oss (Liquigas-Cannondale), Puccio (Sky), Lodewyck (BMC), Ruben Perez (Euskaltel-Euskadi), Minard (Cofidis), Kroon (Saxo Bank) and Isaychev. The breakaway faced the sixth categorized climbing, all of the 3rd category, cooperating and soon they took 10′ over the chase. When it was clear that it was impossible to reach them, in the group ahead started the attacks: the first one was Lodewyck, that in the last uphill tried the surprising blitz with 22 kilometers to go. But his attack was neutralized by the others: the Belgian rider paid for his effort and lost contact. The six riders tried many attacks, but everytime Isaychev was the first to answer and close the gap. With 2 kilometers to go Ruben Perez, Minard and Oss managed to take some gap: but they don’t cooperate, so with 1 kilometers to go the six are all together. In the final sprint, Isaychev did an extraordinary early rush: his sprint was powerful despite the energies spent during the stage, and nobody could answer to this. Second position for Ruben Perez; Kroon entered in the last place of the podium.

“I’m so happy about this victory – said Isaychev – it’s the first one of my professional career, and it came in such an important competition such as ‘Tour de Suisse’. Moreover, the way it came was extraordinary: I felt in a great shape during the whole stage, and my motivations were high because I knew that, in a sprint against the riders which were in the breakaway with me, I was the favorite. And, in fact, I managed to win quite easily. Really, it was a great day for me: I’ve always imagined my first victory in pro races, but I would have never thought of such a great win”.