The stage remained calm for a long time. After 60 kilometers, five riders launched an attack. The peloton gave them space, allowing the breakaway to build a seven-minute lead with 55 kilometers remaining. It soon became clear that the stage win would be contested among the breakaway riders.

In the thinning peloton behind, the yellow-and-black squad rode attentively near the front. On the final climb, Femke de Vries and Bunel showed solid form. The young Frenchwoman ultimately crossed the line in 15th place, finishing in the group of favorites.

“It turned into a real race of attrition,” said sports director Jan Boven after the stage. “We tried to place a rider in the break, but that didn’t work out. The way the race unfolded afterward caught us by surprise a bit. The peloton kept splitting up and regrouping. It’s great to see Marion holding her own and finishing with the favorites.”

Tomorrow brings the least demanding stage of the Swiss race, and a bunch sprint is likely. “Compared to the other stages, tomorrow is the easiest,” Boven added. “So there’s a good chance it will come down to a sprint, but we’ll definitely look to show ourselves as a team.”