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Blinded by the UCI as part of its abnormal control of salbutamol on the last Tour of Spain, Chris Froome will be well at the start of the Tour de France and favorite to his own succession. But, from Romain Bardet to Richie Porte, via Vincenzo Nibali and Rigoberto Uran, his challengers are numerous.
Chris Froome (Sky)
The Chris Froome soap opera has finally ended on Monday, less than a week before the start. Declared undesirable by ASO, the organizer of the Tour, pending the end of the procedure concerning his abnormal control of salbutamol on the last Vuelta, the British has been cleared by the International Cycling Union. He will be starting from Noirmoutier-en-l'Île on Saturday to defend his title and aim for a fifth crown that will make him the equal of Hinault, Merckx, Anquetil and Indurain. But, several questions surround the Froome case. His state of form, already: winner of the Giro, in May, he has not run since. The sequence of the two great towers is complicated … Will Froome succeed? Also, what reception will he receive from the public? Already not very popular on the edge of the roads hexagonal, his image has not improved lately and the reception looks stormy.
Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale)
Second two years ago, third last year, Romain Bardet still counts among the favorites to the final victory this year. It is certain, he will answer present in mountain, like last year, where he had shown the strongest and especially the most offensive against Chris Froome. What will happen to the rest of the journey? Unaccustomed to this type of profile, the Auvergnat can dread the stage pavers. It is also the case of the chronos. If he will be well surrounded on the team time trial, with some large riders at his side (Latour, Naesen, Gallopin), he will be alone on the 31 km of the last time, the day before the finish . Last year, in Marseille, he had almost lost everything in this exercise that he does not appreciate. Without progress, he will not be able to match his rivals.
Richie Porte (BMC)
Party of Sky three years ago to no longer evolve in the shadow of Chris Froome, Richie Porte is the unique leader of the BMC. But he has not yet managed to really invite himself in the fight to the final victory on the Tour. Fifth in 2016, he gave up last year after a terrible fall in the descent of the Mont du Chat (double fracture to the pelvis and clavicle). Returning to the competition this season, he is gradually ramping up to the Tour de Suisse in June, which he won. Richie Porte is a great time trial, but he hopes he will be able to go up the mountain to accompany the best ones without suffering a failure, as was often the case in recent years.
Rigoberto Uran (EF Education First-Drapac)
Chris Froome's surprise dauphin last year, Rigoberto Uran aims to do just as well this year. But he will undoubtedly be more guarded by his rivals, starting with Romain Bardet, who had not managed to take enough time in the mountains in 2017. Never to attack as soon as the road rises, the Colombian s is content to respond to the banderillas of his opponents by sticking them to the wheel. A style not always exciting but who paid since the teammate of Pierre Rolland had taken time against the clock, one of his strengths. We would like to see him a bit more offensive this year
Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb)
For the first time Tom Dumoulin is coming to the Tour de France to play the general clbadification. Winner of the Giro last year, 2 e this year behind Chris Froome, the Dutch will be one of the attractions of this Great Loop. If he has recovered from the Tour of Italy, he will certainly be in the fight for victory. And if he does not waste too much time on his rivals in the mountains, he will become very dangerous, starting from the last lap – he is the world champion of the specialty – the day before the finish.
Vincenzo Nibali ( Bahrain Merida)
While missing the Giro d'Italia, Vincenzo Nibali returns to the Tour de France to take the overall standings. Winner of Milan-San Remo at the start of the season, the Messina Shark should remember the good memories of his success on the Great Loop in 2014. Indeed, when he had won four years ago, Nibali had made a first difference on the pavements of the North of France. Cobblestones he will find this year at the 9 e stage. If he distances his rivals that day and seizes the yellow jersey, it would become difficult to dislodge
Nairo Quintana (Movistar)
Also absent from the Giro, Nairo Quintana returns to the Tour de France with one goal: to win, finally! Twice 2 e (2013, 2015), once 3 e (2016), but 12 e last year, the Colombian has a revenge at take with the Big Loop. While he ran little this year (26 days of race for a stage victory on the Tour de Suisse), he focused his season on the Tour. And he will probably not have the right to make mistakes. While Movistar comes with three leaders – he, Alejandro Valverde, Mikel Landa – the Colombian could, at the least day without, downgrade in the hierarchy of his team. He will also force his nature, little offensive, to take time to his opponents before the last time trial.
Primoz Roglic (Lotto NL-Jumbo)
This is the big odds! Stage winner last year at Serre-Chevalier, Primoz Roglic has risen in recent seasons. He is coming off a big start to the year and has already won in three stage races: the Tour de Romandie, the Tour of the Basque Country and the Tour of Slovenia. Very successful against the clock – he is vice-world champion – he should, like Dumoulin, save time in the chrono the day before the finish. The Slovenian will have a team to support him in the mountains. But a question remains: while he is going to play for the first time the general clbadification of a big Tour, will he be able to answer for three weeks? Mystery …
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