Thibau Nys loses leader’s jersey to Ayuso in Tour de Romandie, McNulty wins time trial

The yellow adventure of Thibau Nys (Lidl-Trek) did not last long in the Tour de Romandie. In the 15 kilometer time trial he finished far in the background. Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) takes over the leader’s jersey and adds a 7-second bonus to Ilan Van Wilder. The time trial victory was a prey for Ayuso’s teammate Brandon McNulty.

The riders already feared that the weather conditions would play a role. The afternoon rainfall mainly affected the last starters.

For example, an early starter like Brandon McNulty had an advantage. The American champion, already winner of a time trial in the UAE Tour this year, was allowed to ride on completely dry roads.

As the 10th starter, he set 20’07”, 24 seconds faster than Johan Price-Pejtersen, who had started shortly before him.

The 26-year-old American and the 24-year-old Dane occupied the first two positions for more than an hour. No one was able to get close to McNulty.

Most of the contenders for a stage win started in the slot. Disadvantage for them: it got wet in Romandie.

Magnus Sheffield escaped the heavy precipitation. The American actually made up time on his compatriot McNulty.

Halfway he followed at 15 seconds, at the finish at 13 seconds. Good for a provisional second place.

Not much later, the classification men started their test against the clock. That was in more difficult circumstances, because the rain became a lot heavier.

Juan Ayuso was the strongest in the rain. The Spaniard, time trial winner in Tirreno-Adriatico earlier this season, lost 21 seconds to McNulty.

It became (again) a real UAE party with McNulty (1st), Großschartner (3rd) and Ayuso (4th). For McNulty it is already his 5th individual victory of the season.

Leader Thibau Nys could not really enjoy his day in yellow. He lost a lot of time in a discipline that doesn’t really suit him. He ended up being 71st.

Juan Ayuso is the new leader. Ilan Van Wilder (9th today) is now a close second. Aleksandr Vlasov and Carlos Rodriguez are also lurking.

Other favorites such as Simon Yates, Egan Bernal and Richard Carapaz already have to make up a minute after a mediocre time trial. That is still possible tomorrow in the queen stage.

• Ilan Van Wilder (9th): There is no point in looking at the day’s result, because not everyone rode in the same conditions. There was not only rain, but also a lot of wind. I feel like I did a good time trial. On the descents I had to go very carefully through the bends. One mistake and it was over. To gain speed I had to sprint after every corner. I came here to ride a good classification. So far so good.

Phase by phase

Nys 71st, McNulty wins

Thibau Nys ends his day in the yellow leader’s jersey. The time trial was not to his liking. Brandon McNulty, one of the first starters, takes the stage win. After the UAE Tour, he also scored in the time trial of the Tour de Romandie. His teammate Juan Ayuso is the new leader.

Lucas Plapp crosses the line with a 27th fastest time. The Australian undoubtedly expected more from this.

Van Wilder currently 9th

Ilan Van Wilder only loses 10 seconds to Juan Ayuso. The Spaniard seems to be completely sure of the new leader’s jersey.

No stunt by Nys

Thibau Nys loses the yellow leader’s jersey today. That’s already been determined halfway through. He sets the 103rd fastest time at the intermediate point. That is 1’22” behind McNulty and one minute behind Ayuso, who is on his way to the leading position.

Vendrame, 2nd in the rankings, will sink. The Italian is only 86th at the intermediate point. One more man has to pass: Thibau Nys.

We should not take Lucas Plapp into account for a stage win. He is 37th on the road.

Ayuso is doing an excellent job

Juan Ayuso rode an excellent second part. His 4th time is 21 seconds slower than McNulty’s. He gains time on all competitors.

Waste of time Vlasov

The second part went a little less well for Aleksandr Vlasov. He finishes 7th, just under half a minute behind Brandon McNulty, who is gradually starting to celebrate his stage victory.

Ilan Van Wilder is doing quite well. He passes the intermediate point in 11th place, 10 seconds behind Vlasov.

Adam Yates also takes a hit. Compared to Rodriguez, currently the best classification man, he loses 40 seconds at the finish.

Nys left

Everyone has left. Can Thibau Nys keep the pressure off from behind? Meanwhile, Ayuso passes at the intermediate point, 20 seconds behind McNulty.

Vlasov 3rd on the way

The rain won’t be that bothersome after all, because Aleksandr Vlasov is only 12 seconds slower than McNulty halfway through. What can Ayuso do?

Lucas Plapp

In his Australian champion jersey, Lucas Plapp starts the 15.5 kilometer time trial. Besides Ayuso, he is the top candidate to take over yellow from Nys.

Rodríguez 6th

Carlos Rodriguez hands out a slap to the other classification men who have already finished. He is half a minute faster than Geoghegan Hart and a lot more than the rest.

4 more starters

Every two minutes the riders roll off the starting podium. After Ayuso, Lenny Martinez and Enric Mas also left. Ilan Van Wilder, Luke Plapp, Andrea Vendrame and Thibau Nys have yet to start.

Tao Geoghegan Hart rides a great time trial. The Brit is currently 16th at the finish. He is faster than Hindley, Bernal and Carapaz.

Carlos Rodriguez proves that driving fast is still possible. Halfway through he sets the 8th fastest time. The real time trialists may still be able to threaten McNulty.