Cycling: Joao Almeida is still on the Tour de Switzerland

The Portuguese Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) won the 7th stage of the Tour de Switzerland on Saturday and dates back second place in the general classification, 33 seconds from French Kévin Vauquelin before the final time trial.

The French of Arkéa-B & B Hotels, third of the stage, tried to anticipate the final sprint by attacking 350m from the finish, but he saw the big favorite of the Tour de Switzerland returned a few meters from the line. British Oscar Onley, winner on Friday, finished second.

A group of six runners made up of the main favorites had started the Emmetten (3.9km at 8.1%), justice of the penultimate stage.

Julian Alaphilippe, in difficulty in the last meters of the stage, joined the finish line eight seconds behind Almeida, which now exceeds a place Le Berrichon, 3rd, in the general classification.

The runners will compete on Sunday an exclusively upright trial between Beckenried and Stockhütte (10km to 8.3%) which will be decisive for the general classification.

“Every second is important,” said Joao Almeida, who resumed six seconds on Saturday thanks to the bonuses. “It will be difficult (note: to take the yellow jersey) because Kévin is also very strong in time.”

This final step could promote Joao Almeida, double-champion of Portugal from the timed exercise and excellent climber.

But Kévin Vauquelin also proven his qualities by winning in February the general classification of the Bessèges star in particular thanks to his victory over the time trial, traced on a hilly 10-kilometer route.

The 24 -year -old runner could become the first Frenchman on Sunday to win a race by stages at the World Tour level since 2007 and Christophe Moreau’s victory over the Dauphiné.