Lance Armstrong, pre-race favorite at the 1996 Tour de Suisse

1997 Tour de Suisse

Final stage--June 20
Soggy finish tosses young rider into the limelight
Wet conditions and tradition helped Peter Luttenberger put the finishing touch on his first major road race title Thursday. Now the young Austrian just needs to get used to being in the spotlight. Meanwhile, Lance Armstrong seems to be getting back on form, and the U.S. Postal Service team puts a disappointing race behind them.

Overall standings

Stage 8--June 19
Gusty stage leaves Austrian clinging to lead
Eugeni Berzin won today's windy time trial, while Peter Luttenberger managed to hang on to the overall lead going into tomorrow's final stage. The young Austrian is confident, but it looks like this is going to be a close one, with four hungry riders hovering within two minutes behind.

Stage 7--June 18
German bolts to a win; Armstrong perks up
German Udo Bolts took the tour's longest stage today, as Austrian Peter Luttenberger hung on to his overall lead. Lance Armstrong landed a fifth-place finish, a bright spot in what's been a frustrating race for the Americans.
Andy Hampsten: Veteran American pro shows a young team how to ride in Europe
Lance Armstrong: Looking ahead to France and Atlanta

Stage 6--June 17
Young climber hungry for hills, takes mountain stage
Peter Luttenberger of Austria powered through the Alps to win the toughest stage of the Tour de Suisse. "The steeper the climb is, the better," the young Carrera team member said after taking the overall lead on a stage featuring three Category 1 climbs over 197 kilometers.

Stage 5--June 16
Bugno moves into second place overall with stage win
Italian Gianni Bugno, 32, proved that he is not past his prime, pulling out a win in this tough mountain stage.

Stage 4--June 15
Italians dominate peloton in the Alps
When the Tour de Suisse hit the Alps Saturday, some of cycling's marquee names moved to the front of the standings, but none of them have American surnames. The Italians appear to be in charge of the peloton, while riders on the two American teams struggled to survive. "I'm just here to suffer," said Motorola's Greg Randolph.

Stage 3--June 14
Aggressive breakaway laps a lethargic peloton
By the time the main group of riders rolled in, the winner's celebration was over. Armin Meier keeps the lead, Scrigno pushes a rider into second, and the Americans ... well, let's not talk about them.
Plus: New math at the Tour de Suisse

Stage 2--June 13
Svorada overcomes illness, sprints to stage win
After skipping the Giro and the Tour of Romandia, Czech rider Jan Svorada makes a comeback in Switzerland, setting himself up perfectly for a field sprint victory.

Stage 1--June 12
Swiss rider likes fit of the goldtrikot
It may be a race-long duel between the Swiss and the Italians in Switzerland. The Swiss have always dominated their national tour, and today local boy Armin Meier put on the leader's jersey. But it was an Italian who captured the first real stage of the tour.
Plus: Lance Armstrong takes it easy in Switzerland, and the Baden hot springs relieve sore joints and hangovers alike.

Prologue--June 11
Berzin looks for Giro redemption
On the heels of a disappointing showing at the Giro, Russian Eugeni Berzin came on strong at the Tour de Suisse Tuesday. The 1994 Giro winner has his eyes on the podium in France, but plans to make his mark in Switzerland first.

Introduction
Last stop on the road to France
Fresh off the courses of the Giro, the Dauphine Libere, or the Tour of Luxembourg, the biggest names in professional cycling head to Switzerland to tackle yet another grueling tour.

Race Roster
Teams and top riders
Seventeen teams will compete in Switzerland, among them two strong American squads hoping to topple the Italian dynasty.

Race Course
The Tour de Suisse's 10 stages