Tom Bohli on the podium in the Tour de Romandie’s prologue

A 3.9-kilometre prologue time trial along the shores of Lake Neuchatel opened the 2019 Tour de Romandie. The Swiss UAE Team time trial rider, Tom Bohli clocked an excellent time, placing third at 60-hundredths of a second from winner Jan Tratnik (Bahrain-Merida). Tratnik beat Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) by a hair.

“I am happy with the ride,” said Bohli, “but I am also a little disappointed to have lost by only 60-hundredths of a second. Among other things, I had to change my trajectory heading the curve before the uphill section on the cobbles due to a bird who was on the road. He flew right towards me and forced me duck with my head to avoid it. All little things, but that gap of 60-hundredths of a second is small. Too bad, I missed out by very little today.”

Rui Costa clocked a good time took, just five seconds behind. The former world champion is aiming at the overall classification after placing on the podium in 2012, 2013 and 2014, and fifth place in 2018.

Tomorrow, they face the first road stage from Neuchatel to La Chaux-de-Fonds, 2700 meters of climbing over a stage 168.4 kilometres. Even with the climbing, a sprint finish is expected.

Prologue order and general classification

1 Jan Tratnik (Slo) Bahrain-Merida 0:05:06

2 Primoz Roglic (Slo) Team Jumbo-Visma 0:00:01

3 Tom Bohli (Swi) UAE Team Emirates 0:00:01

10 Rui Costa (Por) UAE Team Emirates 0:00:05