The 1st stage at a glance
- 15 June 2025
- Route length: 129.4 kilometres
- Altitude metres: 1939
- Start: Küssnacht
- Destination: Küssnacht
- Live stream: 15:10-18:00 Discovery Plus (fee required)
- To the live ticker
- All stages of the Tour de Suisse 2025 at a glance
The Tour de Suisse 2025 begins on 15 June with a challenging opening stage around Küssnacht. The first stage of the men's race mirrors almost identically the fourth and final stage of the women's race, which ends on Sunday. Unlike in previous years, the organisers have dispensed with a prologue and instead opted for a 129.4-kilometre circuit, which presents the riders with a real challenge right at the start of the tour. With an elevation gain of 1939 metres and the tough climb to the Michaelskreuz Chapel, this first stage could already have a decisive influence on the overall classification. The circuit takes the riders through the start and finish town of Küssnacht several times, giving spectators along the route particularly spectacular views of the racing action.
Key role of the Michaelskreuz ascent
The centrepiece of the stage is the ascent to the Michaelskreuz Chapel. This climb could prove to be a decisive factor in the outcome of the stage. The first ascent there is 3.9 kilometres with an average gradient of 9 percent. The second passage, around 15 kilometres before the finish, is 3 kilometres with an average gradient of 9 per cent. This is the ideal terrain for puncheurs to secure their first stage win of the Tour de Suisse 2025 with an attack.
