Lucinda Brand lost her leader’s jersey on Sunday in the Tour of Switzerland. The Dutch gave in for more than a minute in an individual time trial to the American Kristen Faulkner, who is also the new leader in the general classification.
The 32-year-old Brand was only eight seconds behind Faulkner after the first intermediate point after 12.9 kilometers, but in the hilly remainder she lost the connection with the American. At the finish line after 25.6 kilometers in the Liechtenstein, the difference was one minute and seven seconds in Faulkner’s favor.
Brand started the time trial with a one minute and three second lead over the Team BikeExchange-Jayco rider after winning the sprint from a three-man breakaway group on Saturday. It was her first road win in almost a year. Brand is especially successful in cyclo-cross. She is now four seconds behind Faulkner.
It was striking that the entire podium of the time trial was occupied by BikeExchange-Jayco riders. Georgia Williams was second behind Faulkner at fourteen seconds. Georgia Baker completed the Australian party, finishing third at a minute and three seconds behind Faulkner.
Timekeeping falters at Chapman
In the time trial there was another curious moment: the Australian Brodie Chapman seemed to clock the fastest time on the line in Vaduz, but later a correction of almost a minute and a half followed, forcing her to leave the hot seat.
Carlijn Achtereekte rode a creditable time trial. In her first race against the clock, the 32-year-old former top skater finished in 35th place, three minutes and eight seconds from Faulkner. On Saturday, the former Olympic champion made her debut as a professional cyclist. Pauliena Rooijakkers finished seventh on the course, where later in the day the men complete the final time trial.
The Tour of Switzerland continues on Monday with a tough hill stage. Tuesday is the last stage of the four-day stage race, which is seen as one of the most important preparation races for the Giro Donne. Then the riders finish on a tough climb in the village of Lantsch/Lenz.