Nina Buijsman placed ninth on the mountainous final stage of the Tour de Suisse Women, climbing to finish in 12th place on the final general classification after the 100.4 km looped route to and from Villars-sur-Ollon.
The 28-year-old was part of a 78-kilometer-long breakaway that dictated much of the day’s racing on a route that took in multiple ascents of the Col de la Croix mountain. Buijsman joined a group of escapees on its first ascent, before a group of favorites reeled them in.
The puncheur remained resolute, staying with the GC group for as long as possible, before being a key rider in a chasing group behind the race leaders.
“I was happy that I was in the break,” Buijsman said afterwards. “So I was on the climb and was already for some time in the front, so when they caught us, I still had a bit more energy left, so that was a really nice feeling.”
On the final ascent, Buijsman found her rhythm with Sarah Van Dam (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) and Juliette Berthet (FDJ United – SUEZ), crossing the line between the two, finishing as the highest rider of the day’s initial breakaway.
“Magnus was really good in my earpiece,” Buijsman explains about how she remained motivated on the valley road. “Also, this team behind me, the riders and staff, it’s so awesome. I want to push more with this team behind me.”
The squad of Lily Williams, Thalita de Jong, Nina Buijsman, Carlotta Cipressi, Marta Jaskulska and Titia Ryo displayed their strength throughout the week and came away from Switzerland with two top-ten stage finishes, as well as a podium through Williams.
Today’s result continues Buijsman’s fine summer form, having also finished the Giro d’Italia Women strongly.
The team next heads to a series of one-day races in Belgium and France, before the Tour de Pologne Women in July.
Tour de Suisse Women stage 5 results
1 REUSSER Marlen – Movistar Team 3:07:20
2 KERBAOL Cédrine – EF Education-Oatly 0:07
3 NIEWIADOMA Kasia – CANYON//SRAM ”
4 LE COURT-PIENAAR Kim – AG Insurance – Soudal Team 0:37
5 DE VRIES Femke – Team Visma | Lease a Bike 1:01
6 HÄBERLIN Steffi – Team SD Worx – Protime 2:28
7 ARENS Megan – Team Picnic PostNL 3:28
8 VAN DAM Sarah – Team Visma | Lease a Bike 3:41
9 BUIJSMAN Nina – Human Powered Health 3:42
10 BERTHET Juliette – FDJ United – SUEZ 4:02
Stage Gallery
Photos: GettySport
