Etixx - Quick-Step rider Gianluca Brambilla finished 29th in the 161km 2nd Stage of Tour de Suisse on Sunday, in a stage decided by a select group.
Kristijian Durasek (Lampre-Merida) attacked the nine-rider group before the sprint to win solo by four seconds. Daniel Moreno (Katusha) was 2nd, and Julian Arredondo (Trek Factory Racing) was 3rd. The group came together after attacks following the second climb of Michaelskreuz on a two-lap circuit. Jakob Fuglsang (Astana) launched the attack, with Geraint Thomas (Sky) and Simon Spilak (Katusha) following. The others formed a chase group on the descent and they eventually came together as the larger select group. Brambilla crossed in a group 1'01" down. Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) remains the race leader.
Etixx - Quick-Step looks next to Stage 3, which is a key moiuntain stage. The stage, from Quinto to Olivone on Monday starts off difficult with the summit of HC Gotthard Pass taking place at the 18.8km point. There is then plenty of descending and flat roads until the road goes up again for a Category 2 climb at the 102.9km mark. There is another Category 3 climb at the 111.1km point of the race, but there is still ascending to be done until the finish line.