Orica-GreenEdge's Michael Albasini gave the Swiss a home win in the climb to Arosa, while overall leader Rui Costa of Movistar suffered in the final 5km and saw his lead shrink to minuscule levels. Seeing Costa in trouble, Radio Shack's Frank Schleck launched an attack from the field of top challengers as the road turned up steeply in the last 5km, and was joined by Mikel Nieve of Euskaltel and Levi Leipheimer of Omega Pharma. The three rode strongly and gained some distance over both Costa and Robert Gesink of Rabobank, enough for Schleck -- the best-placed -- to move up to second overall, a mere 14 seconds behind, while Leipheimer snuck past Gesink on GC at 21 seconds. Gesink lies fourth after sprinting home in the third group.
For Albasini, his win marks the first home victory for the host nation, and Albasini's third career stage win in the Tour de Suisse. Tomorrow the race concludes with two demanding climbs and a less-threatening uphill route to the finish. Judging by his performance today and the slim lead he carries, Rui Costa will have to be on a very good day to secure the win. Results:
- Michael Albasini, Orica Green-Edge
- Mikel Nieve, Euskaltel, at 1.15
- Levi Leipheimer, OPQS, s.t.
- Frank Schleck, RNT, s.t.
- Robert Gesink, Rabobank, at 1.36
- Rui Costa, Movistar
- Schleck, at 0.14
- Leipheimer, at 0.21
- Gesink, at 0.25
- Nieve, at 0.40