[Demi Vollering (SD Works-Protime), who has also won the Vuelta España Femenina, Iturria Women's and Vuelta a Burgos, looks to establish herself as the undisputed GC leader with a second consecutive stage win and a shot at the overall Tour de Suisse Women's title.

"I went into the time trial as I would in a normal race. The last kilometer was completely empty. I'm good at that sort of thing. Luckily, it was good enough for the win and I was able to make up time overall," Volering, who won the second stage time trial, said in a team press release. [I tried to be consistent in the time trial and gave it everything I had in the last four kilometers. I gave it my all in the last four kilometers and tried to do a steady time trial. On a tough climb like this, you can plan a lot of things, but in the end it's about getting the most out of yourself. In other words, you also need to ride with your guts," he said.

Volering is currently 1:26 behind Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek), and since the last two stages have flat finishes, Volering should be able to keep the yellow leader's jersey to the end, barring any accidents.

"Looking at the classification, I am certainly in a good position," Volering added. The team's challenge is to make sure that the big groups don't get away in the next two days. The team's challenge is to make sure we don't let the big groups get away in the next two days. Some of the riders on the team have a chance to succeed here. Together with Team SD Volkswagen Pro Time, we hope to do well in the next two stages here. I have confidence in that."

The remaining podium spots in the overall standings are less certain. Gaia Lealini is only two seconds behind her Lidl-Trek teammate, but the two Italians will not be racing each other. Instead, they will have to fend off a challenge from Kim Cazzou (EF Education-Cannondale).

The 22-year-old New Zealander is getting better with each race. After finishing 10th overall in the Vuelta Femenina, he was fifth in the first stage, third in the ITT in the second stage, and moved up to fourth in the GC, just 11 seconds behind third-placed Reallini.

Behind Katzow, there is a huge gap of 2:14 to fifth-place Juliette Rabas (DSM-Filmenig-Post NL) and 2:40 to Antonia Niedermeier (Canyon-SRAM). The 21-year-old German has the team's best result in the ITT and is currently ahead of Nieve Bradbury (9th), Elise Chaby (10th), and Kasia Niewiadoma (12th).

Xavi, who finished third overall after a stage 1 breakaway, said the ITT did not suit her and that she intends to try for a stage win in the remaining two days. This must be balanced with supporting Niedermeier's GC position.

After a strong ITT, Lidl-Trek sent two more in the top 10, Amanda Spratt in 3:28 and Brody Chapman in 3:41, but their own GC positions may fall if they need to defend Longo Borghini and Reallini.

Liv Arulla-Jeiko's Urschka Zigato dropped 4:26 to 11th overall, while Femke de Vries, who signed with Visma Lease-a-Bike mid-season, moved up to 13th, 4:34 behind.

Niamh Fischer-Black (SD Works-Protime) was 13 seconds behind de Vries, followed by Marion Bunel (San Michele-Mavic-Ober 93) The 19-year-old French climber finished the first stage in seventh place, but lost 3:37 in the ITT and is now more than 5 minutes behind Voerling.