4 august 2024
A thriller of seconds for the podium places at the final time trial in Viseu over 26 difficult kilometers. And what Team Vorarlberg pro Colin Stüssi conjured up on the asphalt again today. The 31-year-old from Näfels in Switzerland finished third behind Russian Tour overall winner Artem Nych (Sabgal-Anicolor) and Danish team colleague and time trial specialist Julius Johansen.
As a result, Colin Stüssi improves to second place overall in the 85th Tour of Portugal and writes another piece of Team Vorarlberg history! He is 1min 23 seconds behind winner Artem Nych and is overjoyed after his overall victory last year.
Colin Stüssi on the Volta a Portugal: “I gave it my all and am super happy that I was able to win a stage and finish second in today’s time trial. It was just different this year, I was constantly in focus and that wasn’t always easy. Despite a difficult preparation, I managed to deliver on time here. Now I’m looking forward to celebrating with the team and would like to thank all the guys and support staff for the great job!”
Thomas Kofler – Team Manager: “We can all be proud of the result, but above all of the way the boys and the whole team performed here. It was like a band of brothers. Everyone did their job 100%. We were a bit unlucky with the crashes and the retirement of Jannis Peter, but that’s sport. If you can finish this difficult tour in first and second place in two years, then you have to be satisfied and it’s worth a chapeau!”
Pirmin Benz showed a strong time trial today, as did Alexander Konychev. They finished 25th and 37th respectively, Felix Stehli 44th and Lukas Rüegg 51st.
After 38 hours of riding, Colin Stüssi finishes third in the overall standings and fourth in the points classification. He also finishes second in the combined classification.
Two weeks of cycling at its toughest lie behind Team Vorarlberg. Now they travel 2300 kilometers home satisfied and grateful. Grateful that it went so well again!
Result https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/volta-a-portugal/2024/stage-12
Overall ranking https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/volta-a-portugal/2024/gc
Summary: “Obrigado” 85th Volta a Portugal!
Team Vorarlberg arrived as defending champions for the fourth longest round trip over 1540 kilometers and more than 22,000 meters of altitude. The conditions were new and there was enormous interest in the team from Vorarlberg. But especially around Colin Stüssi. Thanks to the meticulous preparation of the entire support team, the focus could always be maintained. Thanks at this point to the eight-strong support team.
The crashes of Lukas Rüegg and Jannis Peter, who also had to finish the race, showed that cycling is a team sport. Jannis was missing on the last stages in the mountains. Colin Stüssi had to do a lot on his own. BUT: every rider sacrificed himself like a Mohican to the extent possible for this success during these 12 days through Portugal.
Colin Stüssi “The Nightmare of Portuguese Cyclist” ….. as the Portuguese media wrote. “WITHOUT WORDS: you have to work for it”
Line-up Team Vorarlberg: Colin Stüssi, Jannis Peter, Lukas Meiler, Felix Stehli, Lukas Rüegg, Alexander Konychev, Pirmin Benz;
Staff: Werner Salmen, Hans Innerhofer, Riko Räim, Peter Jenny, Bastian Büffel, Tino Noe, Rene Elsensohn, Eddy Terenkens;
Presseservice Team Vorarlberg
www.team-vorarlberg.at
office@proevent-cycling.at
(Copyright Photos Team Vorarlberg @Source)