Tour de Suisse
Encyclopedia
The Tour de Suisse is a UCI World Tour stage race
held annually in June. The race debuted in 1933 and has evolved in timing, duration and sponsorship. With the Critérium du Dauphiné, it is a proving ground for the Tour de France
, and part of the UCI World Ranking
calendar. Like the Tour de France and the Dauphiné, the Tour de Suisse offers mountain climbs and at least one individual time trial
. Several winners of the Tour de Suisse have also won the Tour de France, including Eddy Merckx
, Lance Armstrong
and Jan Ullrich
. In 2005 the organizers moved the race to earlier in June.
Road bicycle racing
Road bicycle racing is a bicycle racing sport held on roads, using racing bicycles. The term "road racing" is usually applied to events where competing riders start simultaneously with the winner being the first to the line at the end of the course .Historically, the most...
held annually in June. The race debuted in 1933 and has evolved in timing, duration and sponsorship. With the Critérium du Dauphiné, it is a proving ground for the Tour de France
Tour de France
The Tour de France is an annual bicycle race held in France and nearby countries. First staged in 1903, the race covers more than and lasts three weeks. As the best known and most prestigious of cycling's three "Grand Tours", the Tour de France attracts riders and teams from around the world. The...
, and part of the UCI World Ranking
UCI World Ranking
The UCI World Tour is the premier annual male elite road cycling tour. It refers to both the tour of 27 events and an annual ranking system based upon performances in these...
calendar. Like the Tour de France and the Dauphiné, the Tour de Suisse offers mountain climbs and at least one individual time trial
Individual time trial
An individual time trial is a road bicycle race in which cyclists race alone against the clock . There are also track-based time trials where riders compete in velodromes, and team time trials...
. Several winners of the Tour de Suisse have also won the Tour de France, including Eddy Merckx
Eddy Merckx
Edouard Louis Joseph, Baron Merckx , better known as Eddy Merckx, is a Belgian former professional cyclist. The French magazine Vélo called him "the most accomplished rider that cycling has ever known." The American publication, VeloNews, called him the greatest and most successful cyclist of all...
, Lance Armstrong
Lance Armstrong
Lance Edward Armstrong is an American former professional road racing cyclist who won the Tour de France a record seven consecutive times, after having survived testicular cancer. He is also the founder and chairman of the Lance Armstrong Foundation for cancer research and support...
and Jan Ullrich
Jan Ullrich
Jan Ullrich is a German former professional road bicycle racer. In 1997, he was the first German to win the Tour de France. He went on to take five second places and a fourth in 2004 and third in 2005. He is considered one of the best time-trialists in the history of the sport...
. In 2005 the organizers moved the race to earlier in June.
Past winners
By riders
| Rider | Country | Titles | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pasquale Fornara Pasquale Fornara Pasquale Fornara was a professional Italian road bicycle racer who gained fame in the 1950s by winning the Tour de Suisse stage race four times, a record that remains.... |
 Italy |
4 | 1952, 1954, 1957, 1958 |
| Ferdinand Kübler Ferdinand Kübler Ferdinand "Ferdi" Kübler is a retired Swiss cyclist with over 400 professional victories, including the 1950 Tour de France and the 1951 World Road Race Championship.-Biography:... |
 Switzerland |
3 | 1942, 1948, 1951 |
| Hugo Koblet Hugo Koblet Hugo Koblet was a Swiss champion cyclist. He won the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia as well as competing in six-day and pursuit races on the track. He won 70 races as a professional... |
Switzerland |
3 | 1950, 1953, 1955 |
| Gino Bartali Gino Bartali Gino Bartali, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI was the most renowned Italian cyclist before the Second World War, having won the Giro d'Italia twice and the Tour de France in 1938... |
Italy |
2 | 1946, 1947 |
| Hans Junkermann Hans Junkermann Hennes "Hans" Junkermann is a retired German professional racing cyclist who won 35 road races in 18 seasons from 1956 to 1973.... |
 Germany |
2 | 1959, 1962 |
| Louis Pfenninger | Switzerland |
2 | 1968, 1972 |
| Andy Hampsten |  United States |
2 | 1986, 1987 |
| Jan Ullrich Jan Ullrich Jan Ullrich is a German former professional road bicycle racer. In 1997, he was the first German to win the Tour de France. He went on to take five second places and a fourth in 2004 and third in 2005. He is considered one of the best time-trialists in the history of the sport... |
Germany |
2 | 2004, 2006 |
Victories Per Country
| Country | Times Won |
|---|---|
| 23 | |
| 19 | |
| 8 | |
| 5 | |
| 4 | |
| 3 | |
| 3 | |
| 2 | |
| 2 | |
| 2 | |
| 1 | |
| 1 | |
| 1 | |
| 1 | |
| 1 |