Cycling: The Tour de France 2018 promises excitement like never before. The fight about Yellow is just as closely awaited as around that Green jersey. Numerous top sprinters will compete directly at the start of the first stage. Who will come out on top in Fontenay-le-Comte? We take a closer look at the first stage with our Tour de France preview.
Great fear of gusts of wind and falls
It's finally starting. The 2018 Tour de France begins on Saturday at 11am on the Atlantic island of Noirmoutier-en-l'Ile. Over 201 kilometers in western France through the land of windmills before the first stage winner is crowned in Fontenay-le-Comte. He will win the green and yellow jerseys at the same time and his early success will ensure that his team can start the tough three weeks with an extremely good feeling. But beware, because the flat profile is deceptive. Strong gusts of wind are not uncommon in the land of windmills. The peloton will ride along the sea for many kilometers. Due to the general hectic pace of the first stage of the Tour de France, the risk of falling is extremely high. The danger of the wind should increase the attention of the classification drivers and their helpers.
Who will secure the mountain jersey and the bonus seconds?
Between 15:30 and 16:15 we know who got the perfect start to the Tour de France. Likewise, a driver – probably someone from the breakaway group – can be happy about the first and so far only point in the mountain classification. The lucky one can start the next day in a polka dot jersey. The fight for the first bonus seconds could also be interesting. The new classification will be held for the first time 13,5 kilometers before the finish and has no effect on the green jersey. The first three drivers are awarded three, two and one second. Who dares to emerge from cover so early and show that they want to fight for every second? Either way, cover is the right keyword, because the classification riders should be bravely protected throughout the day in order to avoid the sometimes strong wind. Along the Atlantic to the south, the pros can never really be sure that there won't be any wind edges.
Fernando Gaviria wants a stage win in his first Tour de France
Although the stage offers a lot of potential for a wind edge - or perhaps because of it - we are betting on Fernando Gaviria (Quick-Step Floors) in our Tour de France preview of the first stage. The Colombian is at the start of the Tour de France for the first time ever. The Quick-Step Floors wolf pack has a reputation for being the best classic team in the world. Now they can prove it once again. Gaviria himself has great respect for the Tour de France and the competition that comes with it. as he admitted in an interview on quickstepfloorscycling.com before the start.
Fernando Gaviria:
"I am a bit nervous. But I think that's completely normal because this is a new, huge challenge for me to drive the biggest and most important race in the world for the first time. The best drivers in the world will be at the start here. I'm looking ahead and seeing how things are going, I haven't set a specific target but I know there's a lot of opportunity for the sprinters here. I will fight hard to win. The team is in good spirits, we come here in good form and with a huge dose of motivation after driving such a brilliant first half of the season.”
Velomotion prognosis: Fernando Gaviria wins his debut straight away
No doubt it might be a bit crazy to bet straight on someone making their debut in the Tour de France preview of stage one. But Fernando Gaviria is damn strong. The 23-year-old has proven his potential several times. Last year he won four stages at the Giro d'Italia and this season he has been able to raise his arms seven times. But he has to assert himself against strong opponents. We have the following professionals on our list for the first stage of the Tour de France:
***Fernando Gaviria
**Dylan Groenewegen, Peter Sagan
* Arnaud Démare, André Greipel, Mark Cavendish
With just a few days before the start of #TDF2018, we spoke with @FndoGaviria about his ambitions for the race: https://t.co/kmlWTbt0wF
Photo: @GettySport pic.twitter.com/Y296DH73g1— Quick-Step Cycling (@quickstepteam) July 5, 2018