[ad_1]
"," size ": [970,250]," partnerId ":" AolHtb "}, {" targeting ": {" ix_aol_om ": [“970x90_5000”]," ix_aol_id ": [“_1DF9qfZ1”]}," price ": 5000 , "adm": "", "size": [970,90] "partnerId": "AolHtb"}, {"targeting": {"ix_aol_om": [“728x90_5000”] "ix_aol_id": [“_1DF9qfZ1”]}, "price": 5000, "adm": "", "size": [728,90]"partnerId": "AolHtb"}, {"targeting": {"rpfl_XXXX": [“57_tier7000”]"rpfl_elemid": [“_g7Apgheo”]}, " price ": 4500," adm ":"
"," size ": [970,250]" partnerId ":" RubiconHtb "}, {" targeting ": {" rpfl_XXXX ": [“55_tier7000”]" rpfl_elemid ": [“_g7Apgheo”] ]}, "price": 4500, "adm": "
", "size": [970,90]"partnerId": "RubiconHtb"}, {"targeting": {"rpfl_XXXX": [“2_tier7000”] " rpfl_elemid ": [“_g7Apgheo”]}," price ": 4500," adm ":"
"," size ": [728,90]" partnerId ":" RubiconHtb "}]" other_square_desktop ": [{“targeting”:{“IOM”:[“300x600_5000”]" ix_id " : [“_VY8yOJVM”]}, "price": 5000, "adm": "
", "size": [300,600] "partnerId": "IndexExchangeHtb"}]}, "page": []};
}
if (typeof HBKEYVALUES! = "undefined" && request! = null) {
updateIXrender (request);
}
ADTECH.config.page = {protocol: (typeof location.protocol! = & Nbsp; Undefined?)? location.protocol.substring (0, location.protocol.indexOf (& # 39;)): & quot; http & # 39 ;, server: & # 39; adserver.adtech.de & # 39;; network: 1695.1, params: {loc: 100}; ADTECH.config.placements [‘asia.eurosport.com_other_square_mobile’] = {responsive: {useresponsive: true, limits: [{id: ‘asia.eurosport.com_other_square_mobile’, min: 0, max: 899 }, {id: ‘asia.eurosport.com_other_square_tablet’, min: 900, max: 1279 },{id: ‘neutralisation_square’, min: 1280, max: 9999 }]}, sizeid: 170, fif: {usefif: true, disableFriendlyFlag: true}, params: { target: & # 39; _blank & # 39;}, kv: (typeof HBKEYVALUES! = "undefined")? Object.assign ({"site": "asia.eurosport.com", "position": "square", "page": "history", "sport": "18", "recurring_event": "703", " competition ":" 519 "," agency ":" 16 "," subject ":" 5 "," sponso ":" off "," content ":" 6834409 "," abbr ":( typeof adtechCCfullstring! = & # 39; undefined & # 39;)? AdtechCCfullstring: & # 39;}, HBKEYVALUES [getHtSlotName(“other_square_desktop”,”other_square_tablet”,”other_square_mobile”)]): {"site": "asia.eurosport.com", "position": "square", "page ":" history "," sport ":" 18 "," recurring_event ":" 703 "," competition ":" 519 "," agency ":" 16 "," subject ":" 5 "," sponso ": "off", "content": "6834409", "abbr" đ typeof adtechCCfullstring! = "undefined")? adtechCCfullstring: & # 39;;}; ADTECH.enqueueAd (& # 39; asia.eurosport.com_other_square_mobile & # 39;); ADTECH.executeQueue ();
}
if (window.headertag! = undefined) {
window.headertag.retrieveDemand ([{htSlotName: getHtSlotName(“other_square_desktop”,”other_square_tablet”,”other_square_mobile”)}] lazyLoadedIX);
} other {
console.error (& # 39; Wrapper is not loaded, let's go to the query & # 39;);
lazyLoadedIX (null);
}
}
->
The wait is almost over: the world's biggest bike race is about to start on the island of Noirmoutier off the Atlantic coast of the Vendée. After dissecting each stage of the race in a complete overview of the road before watching the runners in the frame for the white, green and polka dot jerseys, and tinkering together a zinger turn-in-figures, our attention is shifting now towards the battle for yellow.
Now in his 99th year, the yellow jersey, of course, is worn by the runner who leads the overall standings at the end of each stage. In short: the runner who covers the course faster than everyone else (although in the second bonus days and the 3km rule, this is not always strictly the case).
Yellow in color because of the hue of the paper on which the founding journal of the Tour, L 'Auto, was published, the yellow jersey now sponsored by the LCL Bank is, no doubt, the One of the most iconic and instantly recognizable pieces of kit in the global sport – right there with the Barcelona band, the All Blacks kit and, uh, the cap of Petr Cech.
Time bonuses of 10-6-4 seconds for the top three riders every day (except after the time trial) can skew the overall standings at the start of the race as the sprinters fight for the right to wear yellow. There are also 3-2-1 second bonuses available for new sprints "B" designated on the profiles of the first nine stages. But come to Paris, the rider who wins is the one who usually can excel both in the mountains and against the clock.
While the smallest victory in the history of the Tour remains the eight seconds by which Greg LeMond beat Laurent Fignon in 1989, it is worth adding that the Tour has never was won in seconds: the one who wears yellow in Paris finish the course faster than anyone.
Now that the pre-amble is on the way, let's look at each of the main contenders and give them a star rating. Tellingly, no rider has won five stars – highlighting how the battle for yellow could be in July.
Chris Froome of Team Sky in Yellow PA Sport
Chris Froome (Team Sky) ****
Just because Froome won the Big Three Previous rounds do not make him the absolute favorite. If anything, he should act against him. We saw how Alberto Contador struggled in his double Giro-Tour attempt in 2015 and, more recently, Nairo Quintana's troubles last year.
Froome has not run since he's got the pink jersey in Rome almost six weeks ago. He had the stress of his salbutamol affair and last week was momentarily ruled out of the Tour until he was finally cleared by the UCI. This is not an ideal preparation.
If the 33-year-old wins a fifth Tour victory, he will have to do it differently from his previous four wins, all after rolling (and winning three times). the Dauphine in June.
His team is strong with a true Plan B at Geraint Thomas (who won Dauphine last month in the absence of Froome). But he also has two newcomers to Egan Bernal and Gianni Moscon, while Jonathan Castroviejo ran only seven days to Tirreno-Adriatico alongside Froome.
Last year, we saw the smallest profit margin of Froome. The old father is catching up. his rivals improve. Could we attend the change of custody in July? For Froome, winning a fifth yellow jersey will be his most polite and fiery performance. Despite what bookmakers say, the odds – and the story – are against him.
Team Sky rider Chris Froome shakes hands with second rider Movistar Nairo Quintana Reuters
Nairo Quintana (Movistar) ****
The Colombian is now 28 years old, the same age as Froome when he won his first Tour. Is it his best chance to improve the man who held himself above him on three podiums of the Tour? Quintana will have learned a lot from his humility last July, when he finished outside the top 10 and, for the first time, on the Tour podium.
With only one stage win all season, Quintana 's preparation for the Tour was solid if it was not spectacular – involving mostly high altitude training blocks in his native Colombia. Will only 28 days of racing count against him? Very probably. But at least Quintana will start this race in style – after being burned with four Grand Tours on the rebound this time last year.
While much has been made of the management of Movistar's three teams, Quintana will clearly be the main man – with Mikel Landa and Alejandro Valverde as back-up. But with the two Spaniards feeding their own personal ambitions, the pressure will be on Quintana to prove his mettle.
Arrive in the Alps and Quintana will be one of the favorites for the yellow. But he will need to show the offensive flair that he has shown in the Tour of Switzerland: while the Tour favors conservatism, Quintana must sway offensively as he will need a gap when last time trial he wants to join the selected group that won the three Grand Tours.
Richie Gate (BMC) Getty Images
Richie Gate (BMC) ****
If the Tasmanian will ever win the Tour, it is the year. Of course, we said the same thing 12 months ago, but that's another reason to repeat it. Like fellow countryman Froome, 33, a former teammate, Porte is not younger. But while Froome's powers – though clearly one step above the rest – seem to be on the decline, Porte has shown enough in recent years to suggest that his peaking again.
Last year, his terrible collapse in the descent of Cat Mountain put an end to his hopes and almost scuttled those of the unfortunate Dan Martin. But Porte fought back. His annual victory over Willunga Hill will not have raised the eyebrows of Down Under, but the decisive way in which he won the Tour of Switzerland will have attracted the attention of his rivals, propelling him perhaps to the top of the list of contenders.
The basis for his victory in Switzerland ended up in the team time trial – and Porte will have a strong BMC unit around him in July, with Tejay Van Garderen and Damiano Caruso more than capable lieutenants. But Porte also traveled every yellow stage in Switzerland with the authority of a Grand Tour winner elected – and showed why he is, in his day, the best climber in the sport.
The Door problem is to extend those good days over an entire three-week run. Avoid the traps of the first week, stay up and have a little luck – and this could be the year of the Gate. Although we always say that, is not it?
The British Geraint Thomas, wearing the yellow jersey of the leader (L) and the Frenchman Romain Bardet Getty Images [19659014] Romain Bardet (Ag2R-La Mondiale) ****
The Facteur du Français bike is decorated with the silhouette of the Gaullish leader Vercingétorix on horseback while the upper tube prides itself on the message: take the risk or lose the chance. Bardet should keep this in mind as he will need to adhere to this mantra if he wants to end the 34 years of waiting for the yellow jersey in France.
Twice on the podium on the Tour, and never out of the first 15 in five attempts, the Frenchman's ascent was steady and logical – but also his inability to step one step further to make it a winner.
The disintegration of Bardet in the penultimate day of the penultimate day of Marseille, last year, highlighted the fact that the 27-year-old won a Tour de France with an ITT as an end point. While this year's race involves only one race against the clock, Ag2R-La Mondiale's performance in the TT Dauphine has been miserable enough to suggest that Bardet could be on GC next Monday. next week.
What Bardet has in his favor, it's a pair of excellent climbing legs, a good tactical spirit, and a team of livewires capable of making a hit on rugged terrain ( even if they can not master quickly together in one line). Knowing that he will need a cushion before step 20, Bardet has to roll positively and aggressively.
Vincenzo Nibali (Getty Images) Getty Images
Without doubt the most versatile of all the leading contenders, Nibali has demonstrated his class over the years with victories in all three Grand Tours as well as in two monuments, most recently in Milan-Sanremo. The Sicilian has the gift of being good when it is most important – its irregular shape this season should be taken with a pinch of salt: in addition to winning The Classicissima, the 33-year-old has not a lot of merit in the few stage races. he attacked.
Bahrain's poor performance in the team time trial set the tone for its Dauphine last month, and Nibali enters the Tour with the oldest team in the race. But the experience of Franco Pellizotti and Domenico Pozzovivo will be an asset, as will the climbing capacity of the Izagirre brothers.
In a race with as many descents as upheavals, Nibali's down-to-earth skills could prove vital, as well as his mastery of cobbles and his consistent consistency. A second victory of the Tour would be a surprise, but not out of the question.
Chris Froome and Mikel Landa, former teammates of Sky Getty Images
On the second contenders rank now and we start with the Spanish who could prove the veracity of the saying "Too many cooks". When Landa joined Sky's Movistar during the winter, a lot of things were written about the prospect of him seasoning the broth alongside Quintana and Valverde in the Tour. Well, we have our wish – and it could be spectacular or spectacularly bad.
The sight of frustration engraved on Landa's face became a regular occurrence last year when the 28-year-old was forced to breastfeed Froome through the mountains. Yet he came to a second of a place on the final podium – a result he would like to build for his new team.
Of course, Froome nursing could be replaced by Quintana nursing in case the Colombian proves the main man of Movistar. Although, to be fair, any team might need nursing after three days if they falter in the TT at Cholet. On this day, Landa climbs with wings. It will be exciting to watch what happens, but his fate depends largely on Quintana's performance.
The Dutchman makes a first appearance at the GC in the Tour even though the defense of his title of Giro in May could be far from d & # 39; To be ideal. It will be Dumoulin 's fifth Tour, but he failed to finish his last two, despite two superb stage victories in 2015 – in the mountains and against the clock – featuring the spread of his arsenal.
An injury to his mountain lieutenant Wilco Kelderman could hit Dumoulin hard, and the 27-year-old could find himself winning stage wins rather than the yellow jersey, before returning in 2019 for a proper tilt at GC.
Rigoberto Uran 2018 Getty Images
The vice-champion of the race last year, Uran was dragging his old team -Mate Froome by just 54 seconds after a steady race that saw the Colombian pick up a first stage victory Tour. Although being one of the guys in the squad, Uran suffered and took advantage of his discretion and discretion: tactics that may serve well but have their limitations.
Uran has now finished second in three Grand Tours but has nothing in his locker to suggest that he can get better and finish at the top. Pierre Rolland and his compatriot Dani Martinez will support him in the mountains, but we will see a lot of Uran in isolation in July.
Finalist (again!) From the Tour of Slovenia in May, Uran is in good shape, but with such competition he will have a hard time getting on the podium this time around.
Jakob Fuglsang wins the 4th stage of the Tour de Romandie Getty Images
After years of victories Grand Tours with Alberto Contador, Fabio Aru and Nibali, the man from Astana for the GC this year, is a driver who just does not have what it takes to win a Grand Tour. Do not waste anything at Dane, but the best days of Fuglsang are behind him – and those best days peaked at him finishing 7th in 2013.
To be honest, Fuglsang is part of an offensive team that would be better able to fight for stage wins rather than placing the 33-year-old in the top five. Astana should leave the phantom Dane as high as possible while encouraging Messrs Fraile, Sanchez, Cort and Hansen to fight for stage wins. Finalist in Switzerland, Fuglsang is in shape but surely a girl podium at such an advanced age is beyond him.
Adam Yates celebrates Getty Images
Since his brother Simon played in the Giro, a podium of girl is not something beyond Adam Yates. Fourth of the 2016 Tour, the 25-year-old will enter the race after finishing second in the Dauphiné and convinced that he will be able to clinch his best Grand Tour result.
The belief extends to his team as well: Mitchelton Scott dropped the sprinter Caleb Ewan in favor of Yates with a strong unit of runners who can protect him by side winds and pavers, and win time on his rivals in the TT. Can he win the race? Not yet. Can he have as much impact as his brother in the Giro? Probably not. But Yates will be a factor.
Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha) wins the 17th stage of the Tour de France Eurosport
Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain Merida) ****
Mikel Landa (Movistar) ***
Tom Dumoulin (Team Sunweb) ***
Rigoberto Uran (EF First Drapac Education) ***
Jakob Fuglsang (Astana) ***
Adam Yates (Mitchelton Scott) ***
Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha-Alpecin) ** [19459100 Third in last year 's Vuelta, the Russian made his second Tour appearance after finishing 25th two years ago. His form has not been outstanding this year and he will ride in a sick Katusha team that also has desirable aspirations for the failed Marcel Kittel in the sprints. A top 10 is not excluded, but Zakarin will need a surge of fortune and form to leave his mark on this race.
Alejandro Valverde wins in Abu Dhabi Getty Images
Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) **
Poor Valverde – he shudders to think about being reunited with Zakarin on a two star miserly … But the reality is that, for all his offensive verve, the Spaniard will be third in Movistar's three-pronged attack – and at age 38, a year after such a horrible injury, it will be a huge surprise to see him hold it together for three whole weeks.
His form in stage races this year has been unprecedented – but he's not exactly tested in the most competitive fields. There will be nowhere to hide in the Tour – and Valverde can not expect any help from his Quintana or Landa teammates. He will entertain but also burn.
. Briton Geraint Thomas, winner of the race, wears the yellow jersey of Dauphine Getty Images
Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) **
After winning the Dauphine and learn about the # Froome's supposed ban, Thomas was to feel that his hour had finally arrived. The subsequent closure of the case against Froome will have seen the Welsh back down the hierarchy – although he knows that the scandal of salbutamol and the Giro's victory could well make its effects felt on Froome.
As such, Thomas will begin this Tour with real aspirations. The 32-year-old athlete will ride to win – at least until Froome proves that he can face a serious challenge himself. But Thomas's problem has never been the ability – more so, misfortune and dubious bike handling. Spending three weeks without a big fall or a series of punctures seems inconceivable to the point of being impossible.
We must remember that Thomas never finished higher than 15th in 12 Grand Tours. But was not he strong in Dauphine? It will be food for thought – for us, Sky and, more importantly, G himself.
Dan Martin (United Arab Emirates) Getty Images
Dan Martin (United Arab Emirates) **
It may seem unfair to put Martin in the same There has been support like Zakarin and Sky 's Plan B but things have been far from being rosy for the Irish since he joined Team Emirates. A stage win at Valmorel in the Dauphiné marked a return to form, but his team has barely cast a 32-year-old backbone in his team's selection.
The experience of Rory Sutherland and Marco Marcato will be an asset, and at least Martin will not share leadership with Aru. But with sprinter Alexander Kristoff also in tow, it will be a familiar tale for Martin, whose GC aspirations were compromised forever at Quick-Step.
Two timed trials should leverage his yellow ambitions, but Martin will aim for the first five that he was able to secure last year, where, because of his life, his chances have been seriously undermined by collateral damage to the fall of Porte. If he can limit his losses and stay up, Martin will have a say.
Slovenia Primoz Roglic of Lotto Team NL-Jumbo Getty Images
Primoz Roglic (LottoNL-Jumbo) *
Of all foreigners, Slovenian is perhaps the most attractive because of the tremendous progress that he has made this season. Winner of his last three races in stages – in the Basque Country, Romandie and Slovenia – Roglic combined his ability to climb and time to produce a devastating effect.
But he has not proved himself for three weeks, having finished 38th in his first tour last year (despite a memorable race on the Galibier). If it seems that the 28-year-old could be a Grand Tour contender someday, it would be unlikely that day will come at any time in the next month.
Steven Kruijswijk Getty Images
Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL-Jumbo) *
It remains to be seen who is leading LottoNL-Jumbo's charge – but you suspect that despite As Roglic climbs, the responsibilities may fall on Kruijswijk, who is more experienced, the rider who found himself in a snow bank to win the Giro in 2016.
Bob Jungels celebrates Liege-Bastogne-Liege Eurosport
Bob Jungels (1965-19106) Bauke Mollema – Tour de France 2017 stage “/>
Bauke Mollema – Tour de France 2017 Stage 15 Getty Images
Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) *
A runner so conservative that he would make Red Blood from Jacob Rees-Mogg, Mollema enters the Tower with a Impossible task: try to inspire his dilapidated Trek Segafredo team to have a goal in addition to dialing the numbers as the fodder of the bunch.
The 31 – year – old showed a rare verve of attack last July when he saved his Tour with a stage victory after he retired. of the competition with the GC. This, it seems, will be his best course of action in July.
Rafal Majka (Bora-Hansgrohe) *
The Polish will play a free role in a team where everything will be about Peter Sagan and the quest of the world champion for a sixth green Jersey. Not that Majka does not care: he's used to playing the second violin in Contador for all these years in Tinkoff.
The 28 years – yes, he is still only 28 years old! – Once on the podium of the Vuelta and finished in the top five of the Giro, he has not yet reached the top 25 of the Tour. Rather than playing in yellow, Majka will attempt to win stage wins and a third polka dot jersey – with all the rest a bonus.
Does Richie Porte improve his DauphinĂ© yellow in Yellow Tour? “/>
