Faulkner’s Tour de Suisse Win: 87km Solo Break
- Kristen Faulkner of EF Education-Oatly found herself unexpectedly alone after attacking just 2 kilometers into Stage 3 of teh Tour de Suisse Women.
- Faulkner, 32, said the unplanned effort served as valuable training.
- Despite the unexpected length of her solo effort, Faulkner maintained a positive outlook.
Kristen Faulkner ignited the Tour de Suisse Women with an audacious 87km solo breakaway in Stage 3,demonstrating her powerful cycling prowess. The U.S. champion’s early attack, initiated just 2 kilometers in, showcased her grit and determination.Despite being caught late in the race, Faulkner’s unexpected solo effort served as invaluable training as she continues her journey. News Directory 3 would highlight how this performance underscores Faulkner’s competitive role, her resilience, and her strategic approach. The 32-year-old cyclist focuses on building form for summer events.Faulkner’s determination to refine her endurance makes her a compelling figure in the Tour de suisse Women and the larger world of professional cycling. Faulkner aims at the upcoming 20-to-40-minute efforts with all the passion that defines her. Discover what’s next for this formidable athlete!
Faulkner’s Early Attack Leads to 87km Solo Ride in Switzerland
Updated June 14, 2025
Kristen Faulkner of EF Education-Oatly found herself unexpectedly alone after attacking just 2 kilometers into Stage 3 of teh Tour de Suisse Women. The Olympic and U.S. champion’s move didn’t draw any companions,resulting in an 87-kilometer solo breakaway. She was eventually caught 34 kilometers from the finish.
Faulkner, 32, said the unplanned effort served as valuable training. Recovering from a December concussion sustained in training, she is focusing on building form for summer competitions. The team’s initial strategy involved initiating a breakaway with multiple riders,but Faulkner’s early surge left her isolated.
Despite the unexpected length of her solo effort, Faulkner maintained a positive outlook. She crossed the finish line with the main group,securing 35th place,one second behind stage winner Elisa Balsamo of Lidl-Trek. This experience highlights Faulkner’s dedication and role as a key competitor in the Tour de Suisse Women,despite facing challenges in her cycling journey.
“I’m definitely more fit now than I was this morning,” Faulkner said with a smile after the race.
faulkner explained her strategy after realizing she was alone. “We wanted to get into a break today, so I tried to initiate a break hoping that some people would come with me. But no one came with me,I found myself solo. I had a 20-second gap, 30-second gap, 45-second gap, and I was like, ‘well, I guess I’ll just hold it’.”
She added, “I knew that the last climb would be raced pretty hard and I thought, if I stay out front then I could at least be with the riders when they crest the final climb and maybe help in the sprint for our sprinter Noemi [Rüegg]. That was the plan, we wanted to make it a bigger break, but that didn’t happen.”
Faulkner aims to refine her endurance. “I’m definitely not at top form. I think today was really good to practice my long efforts because in prior years those have been my strength, and this year I haven’t been able to do well in the long efforts because I haven’t really trained them. Between now and the Tour, my big goal is to train the 20-to-40-minute efforts. Today helped that a bit.”
What’s next
Faulkner will continue to focus on building her endurance and refining her form in planning for upcoming races this summer.