Pogacar might solely be 23 however, given how simple he makes every thing look, the UAE Workforce Emirates rider enters the race because the overwhelming favorite.
However Roglic is not going to be the one challenger because the Ineos Grenadiers look to regain a title they as soon as made their very own and new pretenders arrive on the scene.
The Tour de France is about to be the ‘Pog and Rog present’ as soon as once more as Primoz Roglic seeks to disclaim fellow Slovenian Tadej Pogacar a 3rd consecutive title.
Right here, the PA information company takes a take a look at 5 contenders for the yellow jersey.
Age: 23
Nationality: Slovenian
Workforce: UAE Workforce Emirates
Earlier appearances: 2020 (first), 2021 (first)
Stage wins: Six (2020 – levels 9, 15, and 20; 2021 – levels 5, 17 and 18)
The quick opening time-trial apart, the primary actual take a look at for the final classification contenders at this Tour comes on stage eight to La Planche des Belles Filles. It was on this climb that Pogacar dramatically snatched the Tour away from Roglic in 2020. And since then, it has been arduous to consider anybody else profitable it. Nonetheless solely 23, Pogacar makes every thing look really easy, from stage racing on the UAE Tour and Tirreno-Adriatico to one-day traditional Strade Bianche, although he did blow a podium end on the Tour of Flanders. He’s as soon as once more the person to cease in France.
Age: 32
Nationality: Slovenian
Workforce: Jumbo-Visma
Earlier appearances: 2017 (thirty eighth), 2018 (fourth), 2020 (second), 2021 (DNF – withdrew after stage eight)
Stage wins: Three (2017 – stage 17; 2018 – stage 19; 2020 – stage 4)
Count on to see loads of repeats of that haunting picture of Roglic, helmet askew, eyes trying to find a end line that might not come on La Planches des Belles Filles, as a 2020 Tour he had dominated slipped away on that time-trial. Roglic’s bid for redemption final yr was ruined by an early crash, however he comes into the 2022 race trying in higher nick than the previous two years. Roglic had made final-day collapses an unlucky speciality – shedding his grip on the loss of life on the Criterium du Dauphine in 2020 and 2021, and Paris-Good in 2021 as nicely, however he has gained each races this yr – outcomes which might as soon as have made any rider the stand-out favorite for yellow.
Age: 25
Nationality: Danish
Workforce: Jumbo-Visma
Earlier appearances: 2021 (second)
Stage wins: None
If issues as soon as once more go improper for Roglic, Jumbo-Visma have an excellent back-up plan. After Roglic withdrew forward of stage 9 final yr, Tour debutant Vingegaard was given his freedom to assault the race and turned that right into a second-placed end. That has led to the crew giving him extra management alternatives this yr, and he was second to Pogacar at Tirreno-Adriatico. Key to his efficiency in final yr’s Tour have been two sturdy time-trials, in order that 41km take a look at on the penultimate day is a chance relatively than a hurdle. He ought to begin the race as a protected rider throughout the Jumbo-Visma squad, able to step up if Roglic’s luck once more deserts him.
Age: 26
Nationality: Colombian
Workforce: Ineos Grenadiers
Earlier appearances: 2020 (twenty eighth), 2018 (thirty sixth)
Stage wins: One (2020 – stage 13)
The devastating coaching accident which left 2019 Tour winner Egan Bernal in intensive care at first of the yr ripped up the Ineos Grenadiers’ plans. They go into the race they dominated for the most effective a part of a decade and not using a stand-out common classification hope however three choices in Martinez, 2018 champion Geraint Thomas and Adam Yates. Martinez made his title as Bernal’s super-domestique in final yr’s Giro d’Italia, the sight of him urging on his fading compatriot on the slopes of the Sega di Ala one of many defining photos of Bernal’s eventual victory. This yr he has been rewarded with management roles, and after third-placed finishes on the Volta ao Algarve and Paris-Good he claimed the win within the Tour of the Basque Nation. Ineos will attempt to use their energy in numbers and appreciable expertise, however it’s the youngest of their potential contenders who appears the most probably.
Age: 26
Nationality: Russian
Workforce: Bora-Hansgrohe
Earlier appearances: None
Stage wins: None
Bora-Hansgrohe’s shift in focus for the reason that departure of Peter Sagan within the winter has introduced swift rewards, none larger than Jai Hindley’s victory within the Giro d’Italia. Now it’s the flip of Vlasov to focus on the Tour. The 26-year-old, who has by no means beforehand ridden the race, has victories within the Volta a Comunitat Valenciana and the Tour de Romandie and is an intriguing outsider.
