Kruijswijk Wins Sixth Stage Of The Tour De Suisse

Last updated : 16 June 2011 By Kev Monks

Rabbobank's Steven Kruijswijk wins the sixth stage of the Tour De Suisse.

On a 157.7km stage from Tobel-Tägerschen - Triesenberg/Malbun, Juan Mauricio Soler who was second in the General Classification was taken to hospital with a suspected fractured skull by helicopter. A couple of spectators were also injured in the crash this morning and also taken to hospital.

The race continued with Sylvain Chavenel in a trio of escapees who were 4 mins and 23 seconds ahead with 40kms to go.

The stage which went into Liechtenstein was prettty flat but there was a massive climb at the end.

Whilst race leader Damiano Cunego of Lampre was in the leading bunch, Chavenel was away by a minute up the road. He was caught and with three kms left, Cunego made his move to try and win the stage.

Rabbobank's Steven Kruijswijk was first past the flam rouge and was grimacing on the twelve per cent climb as he passed Dede The Devil and got over the line in a time of 4hr 12 mins and 3 seconds.

Levi Leipheimer was second with Cunego in third and retaining his yellow jersey for another day.

Kruijswijk who is now up to third in the GC, said to Eurosport afterwards that his win was one of the hardest he had done.

Tomorrow's stage is the longest in the race at 222.8km long and goes from Liechtenstein capital city Vaduz - Serfaus-Fiss to Ladis.