Cycling: Riders from Germany, Austria and Switzerland will also be at the start of the Vuelta a España. We count a total of 13 German-speaking professionals. Only a few of them are allowed to drive on their own account. The majority will have to do volunteer work. We look at the goals and the tasks of our heroes.
No. | Driver | Country | Team | Task | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
7 | John Degenkolb | Germany | Trek-Segafredo | Stage hunter & helper for Contador | |
22 | Christian knees | Germany | Sky | Helper for Froome | |
63 | Johannes Fröhlinger | Germany | Sunweb | Helper for Barguil | |
67 | Lennard Kamna | Germany | Sunweb | Helper for Barguil | |
72 | Emmanuel Buchman | Germany | Bora, hansgrohe | Noble helper & stage hunter | |
76 | Christopher Pentecost | Germany | Bora, hansgrohe | Helpers for Majka & Buchmann | |
78 | Andrew Schillinger | Germany | Bora, hansgrohe | Helpers for Majka & Buchmann | |
79 | Michael Schwarzman | Germany | Bora, hansgrohe | Helpers for Majka & Buchmann | |
83 | Nico Denz | Germany | Ag2r | Helper for Bardet |
The Germans have Buchmann & Degenkolb for the results
Nine German professionals will be at the start of the Vuelta a España, which begins on Saturday. Of these, only two professionals will probably actually get their freedom. The stages of the Tour of Spain suit John Degenkolb very much. Even the flat stages are slightly wavy and top sprinters are not there either. A stage win or two for John Degenkolb would come as no surprise. Emanuel Buchmann will probably also go hunting for stages. First and foremost, the strong German climber will have to help his captain Rafal Majka. On one or the other stage, however, he will certainly be given his freedom and will be able to drive to a stage win.
Many German helpers should help their captains
Christian Knees is a bank. The German all-rounder has already taken part in the Tour de France to lead Chris Froome to the title. At the Vuelta a España, too, his main task is to keep Froome out of the wind. When there's speed work to be done, we'll see Kneesi in the forefront mainly on flat terrain. The same applies to Johannes Fröhlinger and Lennard Kämna, except that they do their jobs for Warren Barguil and Wilco Kelderman, respectively. Your strengths are not in the mountains, but rather in the valley. With Lennard Kämna we can be curious to see how he will present himself in the team and individual time trial. He is considered a huge talent in the fight against the clock. While Christoph Pfingsten, Andreas Schillinger and Michael Schwarzmann could only be there for Emanuel Buchmann and Rafal Majka Nico Denz enjoy easy freedoms in Team Ag2r. Nico Denz is riding his first Grand Tour and obviously has to place his own ambitions behind Romain Bardet. Still, he has his strengths in flight. As the French team is known for their breakaway attempts, we're guaranteed to see Nico Denz at the front of a group one day.
No. | Driver | Country | Team | Task | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
34 | Kilian Frankiny | Switzerland | BMC | Helper for Caruso & Van Garderen | |
75 | Patrick Conrad | Austria | Bora, hansgrohe | Helpers for Majka & Buchmann | |
105 | Mark Haller | Austria | Katusha Alpecin | Helper for Zakarin | |
203 | Stefan Denifl | Austria | Aqua Blue Sport | Drivers with freedom |
A Swiss and three Austrians are hiding in the field
The cycling fans from Switzerland and Austria will probably not lose track of their riders at the Vuelta a España. After all, there are only four drivers from these two countries at the start. With Kilian Frankiny, Switzerland only sends one man into the race. But we should definitely remember this name. The only 23-year-old Swiss had to deal with major health problems. He is considered a strong climber with a lot of talent. At times he was able to demonstrate his qualities in smaller races. At the Vuelta a España he will now have to queue at the back. His captains Tejay Van Garderen and Damiano Caruso rely on his support. The three Austrians Patrick Konrad, Marco Haller and Stefan Denifl feel the same way. Only Denifl will get a lot of freedom – if at all. His team Aqua Blue Sport is only out for stage wins. Marco Haller is considered a strong preparer in sprints, but he doesn't really have a captain for the Vuelta a España. Patrick Konrad has already presented himself well in the mountains, but at best he will act as a noble helper for Buchmann and Majka. All three Austrians have the potential to be included in a group with this profile. Stage wins are not impossible.
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