Due to the efforts of INEOS Grenadiers and others, the escapees never got much space from the peloton. Lemmen held on together with Frenchman Clément Berthet for a long time, but in the end it proved an impossible task.

Johannes Staune-Mittet stayed in the group of favorites for a long time. The Norwegian climbed with the best on the last mountain of the day, but had to pass when the pace was increased by the riders fighting for the general classification.

“Once again we did everything we could,” sports director Grischa Niermann said. “It didn't pay off today in the form of a result. Our plan was to be in the breakaway. That worked out. Other teams overwhelmingly wanted to make the race hard, so it quickly became a tough job. Johannes rode a very strong race today. He fought to the line, but he too came up short against the competition.”

The Swiss stage race, for many teams the final preparation for the Giro d'Italia, ends Sunday with a hundred and fifty kilometer stage in and around Vernier.