Roche: "I’m feeling good so far but tomorrow is a big test with four big climbs"

Nicolas Roche, left, is content with his riding in Romandie this far but says he knows tomorrow, Friday, is a big climbing test that he must pass.

Nicolas Roche finished safely in the bunch on today’s second stage of the Tour of Romandie as home rider Michael Albasini of Orica GreenEdge took his second stage win in as many days after another bunch sprint in Montreaux.

Roche’s Tinkoff-Saxo team were to the fore on the two climbs of today’s driving the bunch along on the third category Chatel St. Denis midway through the stage and then leading the peloton down the final descent to the finish.

Much like the previous day, Roche found himself off the front in the final 6km as he rounded a corner with a few bike lengths on the rest of the peloton, but he eased up again and was absorbed into the pack before the sprint finish.

“This sprinters’ finale didn’t suit us very well,” said directeur sportif Fabrizio Guidi of the stage finish.

“But we wanted to see how well the boys managed to ride together in an intense finale and they passed the test. It’s a good and young group of riders who manage to stay together in the peloton and it’s a good test before the Giro.”

Roche echoed the sentiments of his boss afterwards.

“The team rode really well today. It’s a pretty young bunch of guys but I was surprised how quickly everyone has gelled together and everyone did their job well so it’s looking good for the Giro.”

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As new race leader Albasini took over from Polish champion Michal Kwiatkowski thanks to time bonuses earned today, Roche is 29 seconds back in 28^th place but is expecting a big shake up in the GC on tomorrow’s queen stage, which includes four first category climbs.

“I’m still getting back into the rhythm of racing and with such a big group coming together on a tricky finish, I didn’t contest the sprint today," said Roche.

"I’m feeling good so far but tomorrow is a big test with four big climbs. Hopefully I will be up there tomorrow and be competitive on the stage.”

April 29th to May 4th: Tour de Romandie

May 1st: Stage 2, Sion to Montreux (166.5km)

General Classification