The day after the prologue, the Dutchman Maikel Zijlaard (Tudor) already gave up the lead in the general classification. Dropped in the middle of today's stage, Zijlaard handed over the yellow jersey to Godon. Vermeersch is 2nd at 6 seconds, ahead of Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal Quick-Step) who is 9 seconds behind.
Rune Herregodts (Intermarché-Wanty) slipped into the six-man breakaway which formed in the first kilometers. The German Juri Hollmann (Alpecin-Deceuninck) won the first five of the six sprints for the mountain points ahead of the Italian Fausto Masnada (Soudal Quick-Step).
Approaching the last passage of Arconciel (1.8 km at 7.3%), around ten kilometers from the end, Julian Alaphilippe launched an attack which condemned the breakaway. The peloton headed towards a massive sprint which saw Dorian Godon take the 9th victory of his career, the first in the WorldTour.
After this stage for adventurers and punchers, climbers will be able to shine during the 2nd stage on Thursday. On the 171 kilometers between Friborg and Salvan/Les Marécottes, two 2nd category climbs await the riders. Les Mosses (12.8 km at 4.2%) will launch hostilities less than 50 kilometers from the finish, judged at the summit of Marécottes (7.6 km at 7.5%).
The race will end at the end of the 5th stage, Sunday in Vernier. The name of the successor to Briton Adam Yates, winner of the event last year, will then be known. Claude Criquielion in 1986 is the last Belgian to have entered his name on the list.
Tour de Romandie: Maikel Zijlaard first leader after the prologue
