Our picture gallery is characterised by the two major preparatory races for the Tour de France: At the Criterium du Dauphine, Jonas Vingegaard proved why he is one of the top favourites to win the Tour de France. The subsequent Tour de Suisse, on the other hand, was overshadowed by the tragic death of Swiss cyclist Gino Mäder.
Zimmermann's coup at the Criterium du Dauphine
Georg Zimmermann from Augsburg won the sixth stage of the Criterium du Dauphine for his French team Intermarche-Circus-Wanty. A few kilometres before the finish, he broke away from a leading group to secure a German stage win.
For the 25-year-old, it was the biggest success of his career, and Zimmermann celebrated accordingly at the finish. In the end, the Danish top favourite Jonas Vingegaard won the tour.
Mourning for Gino Mäder at the Tour de Suisse
Gino Mäder crashed towards the end of stage 5 on a descent shortly before the finish and died shortly afterwards in hospital as a result of his injuries. Stage 6 was shortened in his honour and turned into a memorial ride. His team Bahrain-Victorious rode in front and honoured his team member.
Evenepoel dedicates stage win to deceased Mäder
On stage 7 of the Tour de Suisse, Remco Evenepoel broke away on a climb and rode solo to the stage win. With an index finger pointing to the sky, he commemorated the deceased Gino Mäder and dedicated the victory to the Swiss rider.
The young Dane Mattias Skjelmose took the overall Tour de Suisse title ahead of top talent Juan Ayuso and world champion Remco Evenepoel.
Local heroine Reusser dominates in Switzerland
The Swiss rider Marlen Reusser had everything under control on her home tour and pulled away after winning stage 2. She was then celebrated by the fans at the finish of stage 4.
For the women, the Tour de Suisse Women was also a preparation race for the Tour de France Femmes. It starts on 23 July in Clermont-Ferrand and ends on 30 July in Pau in the Pyrenees.
