Pogačar and Roglič set for Swiss Tour debut in shortened five‑day race

The 89th Tour de Suisse begins on 17 June in Sondrio and runs for five stages, reduced from its traditional eight‑day format to cut costs. Slovenian riders Tadej Pogačar, the WorldTour leader, and Primož Roglič, captain of Red Bull‑BORA‑Hansgrohe, will compete in the race for the first time. Pogačar, who described his preparation as “strong and motivated” and said the debut makes the event “even more exciting”, is the favourite for the overall victory, seeking to fill the remaining gaps in his palmarès. Roglič will lead his team in a clear role, with teammates including Giovanni Aleotti and Finn Fisher‑Black.

The route features four categorized climbs on the opening stage, a short individual time‑trial in Aarburg on Saturday, and a queen stage on Sunday finishing in Villars‑sur‑Ollon with more than 4,000 m of climbing, including a decisive ascent of Col de la Croix. The compact schedule leaves little room for error, making early performance crucial. The race concludes on 21 June, offering a final test for the two Slovenians ahead of the Tour de France.