2024-07-01 01:43:33
This yr’s Tour de France will likely be barely totally different from earlier years in that the race won’t finish on the Champs Elysees in Paris, however within the southern French metropolis of Good. It’s customary for the Tour to begin with levels outdoors of France. If beforehand it was Denmark or Spain, this yr the primary stage will happen in Italy with the beginning in Florence and the end in Rimini.
All groups taking part within the tour are getting ready very severely. That is how “Bora – hansgrohe” introduced the entry of “Purple Bull” into the group’s visible outfit. Toms Skujiņa introduced the brand new “Trek Madone Gen 8” mannequin at “Lidl – Trek”. Mark Cavendish (“Astana”) and Michael Matthews (“Jayco AlUala”) bought a brand new design bike. In the meantime, numerous different groups will begin in new design shirts.
For followers of Latvian sports activities, this tour will enable them to observe two of our males without delay with elevated curiosity. Each Toms Skujins (“Lidl – Trek”) and Krists Neilands (“Israel Premier Tech”) gained locations of their groups.
This will likely be Tom’s sixth Tour de France. The Carnik native, who just lately celebrated his thirty third birthday, had a wonderful first half of this season. The most important particular person success was second place within the Strade Bianche traditional, the place he was second solely to Tadej Pogachar. Tom proved his usefulness to the touring squad all through the season. The ultimate choice was made after the general coaching camp. Regardless that the Latvian confronted sure well being challenges, it has remained previously, as Skujin is absolutely prepared for the three-week lengthy marathon. Tom’s best achievements within the Tour de France must be recalled. In 2020, he gained second place in one of many levels, however in his debut in 2018, he gained the king of the mountains jersey on a number of levels.
You will need to perceive the function of Skujiņas within the group. Within the dash levels, the primary focus of your entire group will likely be on working for Mads Pedersen. The Dane is able to preventing for the inexperienced sprinter’s jersey. In the meantime, Italian Giulio Ciccone stays the primary chief within the general standings after Tao Hart Geohagen withdrew from the competitors because of the penalties of the “Covid-19” virus. Nonetheless, extra emphasis may very well be positioned on the combat for victory in sure levels. Right here, too, good playing cards can seem for Skujin, who has proven his tenacity and knowledge greater than as soon as.
The group represented by Krist Neyland went to the Tour de France with the goal of preventing for stage victories. Kuldīdznieks, generally known as “Loopy”, has had a excessive begin this season. Neiland’s Critérium du Dauphiné testifies to his readiness for the tour. Within the general rating of this competitors, the Latvian gained twenty fifth place, being one of many main forces of his unit.
This yr Krist will certainly be one of many assistants to the promising Canadian GC rider Derek Gee. The highly effective British expertise Stefan Williams also needs to be famous. Within the dash levels, the playing cards will likely be positioned on Pascal Akerman. Neyland, like Skujiņš, will likely be prepared for some highly effective breakaway. Final yr, Krist’s greatest efficiency within the tour was fourth place within the tenth stage. He additionally fought for the victory in one of many following levels, his hopes being buried after a fall.
Solely a few drivers can actually combat for the victory within the tour general. The favourite function belongs to Tadej Pogačar, who has proven a dominant efficiency each within the classics and the Giro d’Italia. This would be the Slovenian’s second Grand Tour this season, which may make the build-up of fatigue within the third week a reasonably practical state of affairs. The large unknown is the champion of the final two years – Danish Jonas Wingegord. After a really heavy fall within the Basque Tour, the Dane has recovered rapidly and can attempt to assert his superiority over Pogachar for the third yr in a row.
Because of accidents, the ranks of the group “Visma Lease a Bikes” represented by Vingegord, which may play in Pogačar’s favor, are barely improved. Different favorites embrace Remko Evenepouls (“Fast Step – Soudal”), Primož Rogličs (“Purple Bull Bora – hansgrohe”), Adam Yates (“Jayco AlUala”) and others.
Stay broadcasts of all levels will likely be out there on the “Eurosport1” channel.
2024-07-01 01:43:33