By Dave Campbell — In professional cycling, May typically brings to mind the Giro d’Italia. However, there is another significant stage race held during this time: May’s Tour de Romandie. This challenging race takes place in the French-speaking part of Switzerland and serves as a crucial preparation event for both the Giro and the Tour de France. Since its inception in 1947 to celebrate Swiss cycling’s 50th anniversary, the Tour of Romandie has become an important target race in its own right. In 2022, organizers introduced a women’s event held in the fall.
The mountainous race traditionally kicks off and concludes with time trials, spanning approximately one week as it winds through the Jura and Alpine Mountain ranges of Western Switzerland. The thrilling finale often takes place in Lausanne, racing towards Lake Geneva and back.
Q1. Twelve riders have won Romandie twice, but only one has triumphed here three times. Who is the all-time winningest rider at the Tour de Romandie?
Q2. What is the best finish by an American woman at the Tour de Romandie?
Q3. Many readers may remember Tyler Hamilton’s now controversial, given his doping confessions, back-to-back Romandie wins of 2003 and 2004. He was not, however, the first American to win the Tour de Romandie. Can you name that rider and the year?
Q4. As an important prep race, who was the last rider to win both the Tour de Romandie and then the Tour de France in the same year? How about the Tour de Romandie-Giro d’Italia double? s
Q5. Many riders have won the Romandie-Giro or Romandie-Tour double, but only one rider has won all three in a single season. Who was that rider? Hint: It is probably not who you think it is!
Click to page 2 below for the answers!
