| |
|
|
| |
Tour de France
Preview |
|
| |
|
|
| |
The 2014 edition of the Tour de
France looks set to be one of the most competitive in years.
Defending Champion Chris Froome returns to defend his title
but faces a strong Contador as well as last years Giro winner
and Vuelta runner up Vincenzo Nibali. Valverde is also here
and has been on good form all year although hasn't raced much
of late. After a difficult two years with injury Jurgen van
den Broeck returns as does a number of others.
The Contenders
General Classification
Chris Froome
He won last year in convincing style but is unlikely to be as
dominant again this year. Has done four stage races this year,
won the Tour of Oman and Tour de Romandie and finished 6th at
Volta Ciclista a Catalunya. The Critérium du Dauphiné is the
only one he finished outside the top 10. Froome won the
opening time trial and the stage 2 summit finish. Froome was
able to drop everyone but Contador, but even Contador lacked
the ability to come around him for the stage win.
Froome lead for most of the race but a crash on stage six saw
him suffer on the final two stages. How much of his time loss
and fall outside the top 10 on the final two mountain stages
is down to his crash is unclear. What it does make clear is
that Froome doesn't go in to the Tour looking invincible. Say
what you like about the team and the exclusion of 2012 winner
Bradley Wiggins and others but Sky have put together a strong
squad. Friend and key Lieutenant Richie Porte will again be by
his side and Thomas, Lopez, Nieve will provide additional
support in the mountains.
Very strong on the climbs and the penultimate stage 54km time
trial suits him as the best TT rider of the overall
contenders. The route is undulating but that helps Froome as
well, though the gaps might not be quite as big as if it was
flat.
Alberto Contador
Contador has won the Tour twice before, some might consider it
three but his third was taken off him after a positive test.
In his first full year after returning from suspension
Contador didn't look anything like his former self despite
winning the 2012 Vuelta. This year Contador has been dominant.
Finishing 1st or 2nd in every race he has done. Wins at
Tirreno-Adriatico and Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco and 2nd at
Volta ao Algarve, Volta Ciclista a Catalunya and Critérium du
Dauphiné. While not able to get away from Froome on the first
summit finish at the Dauphine he could stay on his wheel, more
than he could last year. Was a level ahead of Froome in the
final two stages but again Froome's crash had an impact there.
Contador suffered a blow with Roman Kreuziger ruled out due to
a biological passport case but he didn't seem anywhere near
last years level at the Tour de Suisse anyway. Still backed by
a strong team including former top 10 finisher and winner of
two stages at the Giro this year Michael Rogers. Nicholas
Roche will also be there to support Contador and he is almost
always better in his second Grand Tour of the year. Rafal
Majka was a late call up to replace Kreuziger and was critical
of the decision saying he wasn't ready. Although he quickly
changed his mind on that. Must be remembered he did ride the
Giro finishing 6th and wasn't expecting to ride the Tour so is
unlikely to be at his absolute best.
Vincenzo Nibali
The 2013 Giro winner and runner up at the Vuelta (won the
Vuelta in 2010) returns to the Tour to try and claim the
complete set of wins. Hasn't seemed the same rider this year
as last, hadn't managed a single win before the Italian
Championships last weekend. While disturbing for some
including reportedly his team manager Alexander Vinokourov his
form at the Italian Nationals shows he is ready and coming in
to form at the right time. Before the Tour de Romandie Nibali
had not finished inside the top 10 all season and his 7th at
the Critérium du Dauphiné showed was still more work to be
done.
In his first Tour de finished 19th in 2008 then 6th the
following year. After two years away from the biggest race in
the World Nibali again returned in 2012 where he finished on
the podium. A result that didn't gain as many headlines as he
might have hoped with a Sky 1-2. Nibali has won the other two
Grand Tours and finished on the podium here before showing he
has the ability. The question is can he match the likes of
Froome and Contador. He hasn't so far this season and it will
be a hard task to here but if anyone else can match the two
favourites expect it to be Nibali.
Alejandro Valverde
Got the nod to ride the Tour ahead of last year’s runner up
Nairo Quintana. With Quintana having gone on to win the Giro
is commanding style this year it will likely be Valverde's
final change to win the Tour. He looked likely to finish on
the podium last year but a mechanical saw him lose over 10
minutes and drop out of contention.
Has been winning races since the start of the season in
February. Three stages and the overall at Vuelta a Andalucia,
Vuelta Ciclista a Murcia, Roma Maxima, GP Miguel Indurain, La
Flèche Wallonne and the Spanish Time Trial Championship.
Valverde has also collected numerous podiums including 2nd
Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Took almost two months off from racing
after the Ardennes but made a strong return at Route du Sud
finishing 2nd. Took a surprise win in the undulating Time
Trial at the National Championships and 2nd in the Road Race
behind teammate Jon Izaguirre.
Despite his National TT win the time trial is not his strength
although he has clearly improved there but will still lose
time to the likes of Froome, Contador and Nibali.
Andrew Talansky
The 25 year old won the Critérium du Dauphiné thanks in no
small part to his tactical racing. Made it in to a large break
on the final stage with a number of other top 10 riders and
held an advantage to the finish that saw him take the jersey.
It is a big step from winning the Dauphine to winning the Tour
but Talansky's confidence will be high and a top 10 even a top
5 ride is likely. He did finish 10th overall last year
including a number of top 10 finishes on stages. Talansky
usually hits his best levels in the final week and that could
be the most important thing here.
The hard final week including the long time trial will suit
Talansky and allow him to take back some time on his rivals.
Backed by a very strong team including Janier Acevedo,
Tom-Jelte Slagter and Ben King.
Tejay van Garderen
In 2012 van Garderen finished a strong 5th ahead of teammate
and Defending Champion Cadel Evans and also took the White
jersey. Naturally a lot was expected last year but last year
only managed to finish 45th although came very close to
winning the stage up Alpe d'Huez. The Dauphine did not go as
planned only managing to finish 13th although his ride on the
final stage showed he was improving.
He has sole leadership this year and a strong team to support
him but the pressure is also there to deliver now with Cadel
Evans not racing. Will be well supported on the flat stages
from the likes of Oss and Burghardt but also has a strong team
of climbers with him. Atapuma, Stetina and Peter Velits will
be crucial support in the mountains as he goes up against the
teams of Froome and Contador.
Jurgen van den Broeck
His past two seasons have been impacted with injury and while
he is often under the radar of fans van den Broeck is very
consistent. Has finished top 10 in all three Grand Tours but
his two best results are 4th at the Tour de France in 2012 and
2010. Had been consistent but quiet in his racing this year
but his result at the Dauphine shows he is ready.
After twice finishing 4th and once 5th at the Dauphine, van
den Broeck finally cracked the podium this year with a very
solid third place. Not a stand out time trialist but a very
solid one. Will lose time on the penultimate stage but should
be able to hold his own despite its length. They key test will
be in the mountains with a lot of his team here to support
Andre Greipel in the sprints but expect to see Adam Hansen
leading him in to the climbs.
Bauke Mollema
Heading in to the Tour de France last year Mollema was 2nd at
the Tour de Suisse on route to his 6th at the Tour. Has
followed a very similar race program to last year and it has
again left him in a good position ahead of the Tour. Mollema
finished third at the Tour de Suisse last month with 2nd and
3rd on the final two summit finishes.
The time trial is what will worry him most at over 50km a lot
of time could be lost despite the undulating nature of the
course suiting him more than if it was flat. Unlikely to be
able to follow Froome and Contador on the climbs but if he
keeps his own rhythm will limit his losses. With Belkin
pulling its sponsorship at the end of the season a strong
performance will go a long way here either attracting a new
sponsor or securing a new team.
Mathias Frank
Frank is untested as a GC contender over three weeks. Moved
from BMC to IAM at the end of last year to lead the team. Had
a slower start to the year than others but started picking up
results from the end of March. Won the Queen stage and
finished 2nd at Critérium International, 4th Tour de Romandie,
won the Queen Stage and again 2nd at Bayern Rundfahrt and
added yet another second overall at the Tour de Suisse.
Leading a team over three weeks will be another challenge but
he seems up to it after a number of years learning at BMC.
Will lose time in the time trial but the final week will be
the real test as we see how he fares.
Rui Costa
18th in 2012 and 27th last year but he is a different improved
rider since then. Has won three stages in the past including
two last year. This year Costa comes in to the race as the
World Champion having won his third consecutive Tour de Suisse
title. Much was said about the curse of the rainbow jersey and
while it took him to the final stage of the Tour de Suisse to
get a win so what? His start to the season was better than it
has been in the past. With the win finally in his pocket it
should give him more confidence.
Despite his solid GC finishes in the past this is the first
time he is focused on a strong GC performance. Has good form
and is backed by a team including 2013 Vuelta winner Chris
Horner, Jose Serpa and Kristijan Durasek.
Michal Kwiatkowski
What a season Kwiatkowski has had so far. Has won Trofeo Serra
de Tramuntana, 2 stages and the overall Volta ao Algarve,
Strade Bianche by dropping Sagan, prologue Tour de Romandie
and National Time Trial Championship. Finished top 5 in all 3
Ardennes races including 3rd at both La Flèche Wallonne and
Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Also finished 2nd behind Contador at
Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco after beating him at Volta ao
Algarve.
We are still yet to see the full extent of what Kwiatkowski is
capable but has lead both Tirreno-Adriatico and Tour de
Romandie this year. Despite his strong start his last few
races will not have been what he hoped. Didn't finish the
Dauphine after struggling but his win in the Time Trial at the
National Championships showed he is heading in the right
direction. Wore the White Jersey last year and could do so
again.
Leopold Konig
Has only ridden one Grand Tour in his career the Vuelta last
year but he didn't disappoint. Attacked in the closing stages
of the fist road stage and was caught but still took 4th in
the uphill finish. Several days later he timed his attack
perfectly and took a stage win. A solid ride over the three
weeks saw him finish 9th overall.
NetApp-Endura has secured a wildcard and Konig will look to
show organisers it was well earned. The team left sprinter Sam
Bennett at home in order to better support Konig. Has been
quiet all year but finished 4th at Bayern Rundfahrt and 11th
at Critérium du Dauphiné in a sign he is coming in to form
right when he wants to be,
Romain Bardet
This will be only the second Grand Tour for Bardet after his
debut at the Tour last year. Finished a solid 15th for the
then 22 year old. Came out of the race with good form winning
the Tour de l'Ain in mid August and wrapping up the season
with 5th at the Tour of Beijing.
Has stepped it up this year with 4th in March at Volta
Ciclista a Catalunya. His final Tour de France preparation saw
him just miss out on the Young Riders Jersey at the Dauphine
despite his strong 5th overall. The long time trial will see
Bardet lose a lot of time.
Thibaut Pinot
Won a stage and finished 10th overall on debut in 2012 but
abandoned last year. It didn't take long for Pinot to bounce
back though finishing the year with 7th in the Vuelta. After a
hard start to the year Pinot has finished top 10 at Vuelta
Ciclista al Pais Vasco, Tour de Romandie and Bayern Rundfahrt.
FDJ have brought Arnaud Demare and a number of riders for his
sprint train leaving little support in the mountains.
His last race was the Tour de Suisse where he took 15th where
he wasn't quite able to hang on to the best on the final part
of the climbs. His time trialing has improved but at over 50km
a bad day could see you lose a lot of time and placed on GC.
Other names to watch: Laurens Ten Dam, Daniel Navarro, Joaqium
Rodriguez, Chris Horner, Pierre Rolland, Richie Porte, Michael
Rogers, Nicholas Rocher, Haimar Zubeldia and Frank Schleck.
Sprinters
Mark Cavendish
Is he still the fastest sprinter? We may see that tested here.
Last year he won two stages, which by any other riders
standing would be a success but for Cavendish it was a little
disappointing. Has nine stage wins this year and brings his
very strong leadout train including Mark Renshaw, Alessandro
Petacchi, Matteo Trentin plus names like Tony Martin and Niki
Terpstra. He wants the stage 1 win and the yellow jersey,
something he hasn't managed before.
Marcel Kittel
Won four stages last year including stage one and with it the
Yellow Jersey. His Tour wrapped up in style winning on the
Champs Elysées. It was a very successful Tour for Kittel and
one that took him to another level. Won the fist two road
stages at the Giro before had to pull out due to illness. Says
he will be happy with just one stage but he will really want
more than that. Giant-Shimano have put together leadout train
after leadout train and come in with John Degenkolb, Koen de
Kort, Tom Veelers and Albert Timmer.
Andre Greipel
Greipel has five stages over the past three years, but just
one last year. Like his rivals brings a very strong train
including Adam Hansen, Greg Henderson, Jurgen Roelandts and
Marcel Sieberg. Defending his German Championship over the
weekend so will again be ready to win in his National
Champions jersey.
Michael Matthews
As of writing Matthews may not start. He crashed in training
and has six stitches in his hand. Was to start his third Grand
Tour in a row after taking stages in last years Vuelta and the
Giro this year. Referred to as a sprinter but those who have
watched his career since his under 23 days know that is only
partially accurate. Yes he can sprint and sprint well but will
never beat pure sprinters on the flat. His strength comes in
his ability to climb and not just climb for a sprinter (he has
finished 8th at the Tour de l'Avenir). The first stage is far
from easy but with his hand may not be at his best.
Sacha Modolo
The 27 year old is only in his first year as a professional
but he has not disappointed. Has seven wins this year
including a recent win at the Tour de Suisse. With Rui Costa
and Chris Horner on the team wont get as much support as
others but can count on Ariel Maximiliano Richeze.
Arnaud Demare
Got selected over Nacer Bouhanni to be FDJ's sprinter at the
Tour. Comes in with seven wins in 2014 including the French
National Championship. Demare has come a long way since
winning the U23 World Championships in 2011. It will be a big
ask to upset Kittel, Cavendish and Greipel but he will get
strong team support and be motivated to show off the French
Champions jersey.
Peter Sagan
A sprinter? Well again while Sagan can definitely sprint he is
no pure sprinter. Only picked up one stage win last year and
that came on a very undulating stage where Cannondale
destroyed the peloton on the climb dropping the sprinters. His
consistency and ability to climb will see him pick up points
on days pure sprinters cannot and will likely lead to another
Green jersey.
Alexander Kristoff
Rode the Tour for the first time last year with his best
result 2nd on the opening stage followed by a run of top 10's
in other sprint finishes. Climbs reasonably well and will no
doubt be looking at some of the harder stages. Nine wins this
year including outsprinting Sagan at Milano-Sanremo.
Bryan Coquard
Comes from the Track, the Omnium especially and has picked up
a number of wins in his first two years as a professional. Six
last year and five so far this year but they have mostly come
in smaller French races will little top tier sprinting
competition. Won the first stage of the Tour de Picardie this
year ahead of Demare the same race he actually beat Kittel in
the previous year. It is his first Grand Tour and first test
against the world's best.
John Degenkolb
Will support Kittel in the bunch sprints but will get
opportunities for himself. Can climb better than the pure
sprinter but will still have to face the likes of Sagan and
Matthews. Five wins this year and second twice only just
losing to Cavendish at the Tour of California.
Other names to watch: Elia Viviani, Romain Feillu, Ariel
Maximiliano Richeze, Jose Joaqium Rojas, Heinrich Haussler,
Daniele Bennati and Danny van Poppel. |
|
|
|