After back-to-back races at RideLondon Classique and Tour of Britain Women, the top-tier peloton returns to racing in Europe for the four-day Tour de Suisse Women held from June 15-18. The stronger climbers of the peloton will return to racing in Switzerland as many of them had competed in the more mountainous stages races in Spain in early May before taking time out to recover during the sprinter-friendly events on British soil. The Tour de Suisse might not be the most mountainous event on the calendar, but it is a challenging route that will likely see the pure climbers and powerful breakaway specialists excel .
With a mid-race time trial also on the menu, there is all to play for across the four days of racing which, for many, will also provide a building block toward the longer stage races of the Giro d'Italia Women in July and the Tour de France Femmes in August. Cyclingnews looks at the riders to watch in the fourth edition of the Tour de Suisse Women. Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime) Demi Vollering (Image credit: Getty Images) Defending champion Marlen Reusser has opted to skip the Tour de Suisse Women this year, but SD Worx-Protime still field the outright favourite in Demi Vollering.
The Dutch Champion finished second overall in last year's edition and has the strength and experience to give her team a second consecutive victory. She comes into the race recovered from her back-to-back wins at Vuelta España Femenina, Itzulia Women, and Vuelta a Burgos, with the aim .