The Tour de Suisse Women 2025 has a premiere in store: For the first time in its history, the four-day women's tour will take place before the men's race. From 12 to 15 June 2025, the route will lead from Gstaad to Küssnacht and promises to be a real challenge for the participants with over 500 kilometres and almost 7,000 metres in altitude. Sports Director David Loosli emphasises: "With over 500 kilometres and almost 7,000 metres of altitude difference spread over four stages, the Tour de Suisse Women 2025 is the longest and therefore probably the toughest women's tour since its launch in 2021."
Challenging start in Gstaad
The first stage of the Tour de Suisse Women 2025 takes the riders on a 100-kilometre circuit starting and finishing in Gstaad. Right from the start, the athletes will have to prove their climbing skills. "The riders shouldn't have bad legs on the first day. The climbs to Saanenmöser and the Jaun Pass follow in the first third of the stage," explains Loosli. The peloton will also make a short detour into French-speaking Switzerland.
Challenge stage two: at the limit of the regulations
The second stage leads from Gstaad to the Sursee campus in Oberkirch and presented the organisers with special challenges. With a length of around 165 kilometres, the route is at the upper limit of what is permitted by the regulations for a women's stage race. The route runs through the hilly Emmental and the UNESCO biosphere in the Entlebuch, which has a lot to offer in terms of both scenery and sport.
Flat stage and grand finale on Lake Lucerne
After the mountainous challenges of the first two days, a flat stage awaits the riders on the third day. The start is at the Sursee campus in Oberkirch, from where the peloton rolls towards Küssnacht with detours into the cantons of Zurich and Zug. The fourth and final day promises an exciting finale. David Loosli describes Sunday 15 June as "Super Sunday". The women's grand finale will take place on the same circuit around the Rigi as the men's opener. "The tough climb at Michaelskreuz, which will be ridden twice, could turn the overall classification of the Tour de Suisse Women on its head once again," explains Loosli.
Anniversary edition and special attention
The Tour de Suisse Women 2025 not only marks a premiere in terms of the date, but also celebrates its fifth anniversary. This anniversary will be honoured with a particularly challenging route. The combination of long stages and numerous metres of climbing promises exciting races and leaves the battle for the overall classification wide open.
The fact that the women's stage race is taking place before the men's race for the first time this year is likely to attract attention to the women's race. The route of the last stage of the women's race and the first stage of the men's race is also likely to attract many spectators to the roadside of both races.
Leon Weidner
Working student
