Dillier Fights His Way to Third at Tour de Suisse

13 June 2016, Rheinfelden

Silvan Dillier put in a brilliant ride on Stage 3 of the Tour de Suisse to cross the line in third place, moving up to third on the General Classification and becoming the best-placed Swiss rider.

Dillier attacked solo after 10 kilometers and was joined by seven more riders to form the breakaway of the day, eventually gaining an advantage of five minutes.

The pace picked up in the final hilly section and the Dillier was the only remaining breakaway rider, later joined by Michael Albasini (Orica GreenEDGE) and Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) in the final 15 kilometers.

The trio powered to the finish line managing to hold off a reduced peloton by three seconds. Sagan took the win, with Albasini second and Dillier rounding out the podium.

Dillier was awarded most combative rider for his efforts on Stage 3, and now sits in third place on the General Classification, three seconds behind new race leader Sagan.

Finish Line Quotes from Silvan Dillier

“My future father in law recommended that I go for this stage as it had a final circuit with two climbs and he knew the climbs well. So I did a recon a week ago and it was good to have seen it before today as there were some technical descents and it’s also good to know what the climbs are like. The climbs were quite steep but not that long, so you need to have the power to get over them but you don’t have to have the climbing rhythm for 20 minutes or so.”

“I attacked after ten kilometers and was alone for four to five kilometers. I knew there were guys chasing but I wasn’t sure if the peloton would slow down and let me go. Once the peloton did ease up I waited for the seven riders to join me.”

“When we passed the finish line for the last lap we still had quite a good advantage of two minutes. Then it started to come down really quickly to under one minute. I said to the other guys that we should try and stay together and make it to the top of the last KOM and then at least finish in the front group.”

“When Albasini jumped over and then Sagan, I knew we had a good group. It was full gas in the last kilometers. Sagan never stopped pushing the pedals so I thought I just have to follow the wheel. I knew that I was close to taking the leader’s jersey but as soon as Sagan joined us I knew he was already in front of me and to beat him after such a long breakaway would be tough. I still tried to do my best sprint.”

“I have had a really good feeling since GP Gippingen. I will see how it continues throughout the Tour de Suisse but I generally am really happy with the shape so it’s nice to be up there.”

Race Profile
Tour de Suisse (2.UWT)
Stage 3 Grosswangen to Rheinfelden (192.6km)
Top 3 Stage: Peter Sagan (Tinkoff), Michael Albasani (Orica GreenEDGE), Silvan Dillier (BMC Racing Team).
BMC Racing Team Top 3: 3. Silvan Dillier, 12. Philippe Gilbert, 23. Tejay van Garderen