Cycling: It starts in France on Saturday. Today, in the first part, we will introduce you to all the Tour de France teams that are not only focused on the overall standings, nor on the mass sprints. Especially within the first ten days we will see them very active in breakaway groups.
CCC: Van Avermaet is the flagship
Team CCC will be easily recognizable in their orange jerseys at the 2019 Tour de France. Not only because they stand out in color, but also because they will probably present themselves very actively. The successor team from BMC has no other choice at all. greg van avermaet is of course still an excellent rider who could well win a stage. But on his preferred – slightly hilly – terrain he has enormously strong competitors in Peter Sagan and Michael Matthews.
Bevin for the sprints, De Marchi for the mountains
In an absolutely flat sprint, CCC will probably bet as well Patrick Bevin. The New Zealander was particularly strong at the beginning of the year in the Tour Down Under and is aiming for the podium on one or the other stage. The team touches down in the high mountains Alessandro De Marchi. He's always a candidate for the day's win in breakaway groups, but he also needs a good deal of luck to catch the right breakaway group. This also applies to Germany Simon Geschke. He has already won a stage in the Tour de France and should have his chances on hilly terrain. While Serge Pauwels is another candidate for mountain stages Joey Rosskopf as a good time trialist. Rather be planned for flat stages Lukasz Wisniowski and the faithful Swiss Michael Schar.
Tour de France teams: The squad of CCC
- Patrick Bevin (New Zealand)
- Alessandro De Marchi (Italy)
- Simon Geschke (Germany)
- Serge Pauwels (Belgium)
- Joey Rosskopf (US)
- Michael Schär (Switzerland)
- Greg van Avermaet (Belgium)
- Lukasz Wisniowski (Poland)
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Cofidis: Laporte sprint captain again
Six Frenchmen and one professional each from Spain and Eritrea compete for Cofidis in this year's Tour de France. As expected, the red-white-yellow team received a wild card again. And this time it should finally work again with a stage win. The French team has been waiting for this since 2008. At that time, Sylvain Chavanel won a section. Cofidis probably has the best chance of winning a stage in the sprints. With Christophe Laporte there is definitely a chance of a surprise. Last year he was second once. But of course he has to deal with well-known competitors again this year and has to get the perfect rear wheel and good legs. Internally he has at least been able to assert himself. Like last year, the team management decided in favor of Christophe Laporte and thus against Nacer Bouhanni.
Be active in escape groups every day
Since there is no rider in the Cofidis squad who is among the best in the world on a given terrain, the pros have to engage in escape groups every day. The qualities of the seven candidates do not differ that much. Nicholas Edett and Jesus Herrada will certainly only flex their muscles in the mountains, but otherwise all other nominees can count among the breakaways on flat and hilly stages. We are particularly excited about this Julien simon be. The now 33-year-old has somehow never been able to exploit his full potential in his career. But if he succeeds in catching the right group, the Frenchman, who is strong in sprinting, can win in the sprint from a breakaway group. Natnael Berhane is already considered a very active professional who can hardly stand it in the main field and will probably break away in the first week. Anthony Perez on the other hand, Christophe Laporte should act as a sprint approach. Pierre Luc Perichon and Stephane Rossetto will take part in the attacks of the Cofidis team. Since you absolutely want to be represented in the escape group, you have to take turns attacking with several men every day to make sure you catch the group.
Tour de France teams: The squad of Cofidis
- Natnaël Berhane (Eritrea)
- Nicolas Edet (France)
- Jesus Herrada (Spain)
- Christophe Laporte (France)
- Anthony Perez (France)
- Pierre-Luc Perichon (France)
- Stephane Rossetto (France)
- Julien Simon (France)
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Dimension Data: Cavendish is not included
There was a surprise on Tuesday morning when Team Dimension Data announced its eight starters for the Tour de France. Mark Cavendish is not in the squad. The Briton has won 30 stages of the Tour of France in his career, putting him in second place behind Eddy Merckx on the all-time list. But in recent years, the now 34-year-old has simply not been able to build on his old performances. Instead, the Dimension Data team is now starting in a mass sprint Giacomo Nizzolo. After a long dry spell, the Italian is slowly on the up again. If the stages get a bit bumpier and more demanding overall, the team has to go along with them Edvald Boasson Hagen yet another fast-moving man in their own ranks. He is also quite capable of going into a breakaway group.
Valgren has a lot of potential
Although Dimension Data is one of the teams that has been less successful in recent years, the squad for the Tour de France is quite impressive. With Roman Crucifier you even want to have a say in the overall ranking. After all, the Czech finished fifth once before. So while he's the main focus in the mountains, it might Michael Valgren be the captain on hilly terrain. The Dane has not yet convinced in 2019, but is considered an enormously talented rider in cycling circles. But at 27, it's time for his Grand Tour breakthrough after winning the Amstel Gold Race last year. Knowing how to win stages in the Tour de France Stephen Cummings. The Brit will also choose two or three sections this time and then join the group. Benjamin King will do exactly the same in the high mountains. There he caused a sensation at the Vuelta a Espana last year. Reinardt Janse van Rensburg and Lars Ytting Bak are probably mainly responsible for the helpful legwork - especially for the sprinters in the team.
Tour de France teams: The Dimension Data squad
- Lars Ytting Bak (Denmark)
- Edvald Boasson Hagen (Norway)
- Stephen Cummings (UK)
- Reinardt Janse van Rensburg (South Africa)
- Benjamin King (USA)
- Roman Kreuziger (Czech Republic)
- Giacomo Nizzolo (Italy)
- Michael Valgren (Denmark)
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EF Education First: 2019 to be crowned
In recent years, the EF Education First team has always been one of the least successful on the World Tour. In 2019, this changed drastically. The triumph of Alberto Bettiol on the Tour of Flanders. The Italian is also in the squad for the Tour de France and will certainly be perceived very differently in the peloton. However, he will not pursue any fixed goals and will occasionally go into breakaway groups. But this will probably be decided by the captain Rigoberto Uran. The Colombian wants to get back on the podium and therefore needs all the support of his team. As a noble helper may here Tejay van Garderen be viewed, which has improved significantly in recent weeks. Also Michael Woods won't be able to be shaken off in the mountains for a long time. But the Canadian will certainly be given a few liberties in the team. If he attacks at the right moment, he is a prime candidate for a stage win on hilly and mountainous terrain.
Does EF also drive actively in the first week?
With Rigoberto Uran, EF Education First has a real leader in its own ranks. Nevertheless, we already list the team in the first part of our preview because the Colombian rarely travels the world in normal form. Unfortunately, the chances are good that he will not live up to expectations this time either. Then EF Education First needs a plan B – and that is called stage hunting. With Michael Woods and Alberto Bettiol, they have two absolute top candidates in their own ranks. But also Tanel Kangert in the high mountains and simon clarke on hilly terrain - in the absence of uranium - will certainly be seen more often in escape groups. Sebastian Langeveld is considered a real classic hunter. He will, as well as Thomas Scully, more likely to be active within the first two weeks.
Tour de France teams: The EF Education First line-up
- Alberto Bettiol (Italy)
- Simon Clarke (Australia)
- Tanel Kangert (Estonia)
- Sebastian Langeveld (Netherlands)
- Thomas Scully (New Zealand)
- Rigoberto Uran (Colombia)
- Tejay van Garderen (USA)
- Michael Woods (Canada)
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Katusha-Alpecin: Zakarin & Politt
In fact, the quality of teams can rarely be broken down into just a few drivers. Unfortunately, the Katusha – Alpecin team has been rather weak across the board for some time now. After all, they send their top riders to the Tour de France. Ilnur Zakarin has already proven that he can compete for overall victory in a Grand Tour. Unfortunately, nothing of this has been seen in the past few months. But if he has built up his form perfectly for the Tour of France, the strong Russian can keep up with the best in the mountains. If he falls behind early on, he should aim for the mountain jersey or go hunting for stages. Then Katusha – Alpecin has the best chance of a successful Tour de France. trump number two in the team Nils Politt. The German made his breakthrough in the world class long ago. He is now aiming for a stage win. The chances of this are best in the second and third weeks when it's a bit hilly but not too hilly.
Chances in a breakaway sprint
In addition to the two captains, the chances of stage wins for Katusha - Alpecin are rather poor. After Marcel Kittel's retirement, there simply isn't a top sprinter left in the team. Now the drivers have to step into the breach and hope for a surprise coup. However, you have significantly better chances of winning in a sprint in a breakaway group. Austria Marco Haller, Germany Rick Zabel and Belgium Jens Debusschere are very fast drivers on the flat. Since they are also very fast and actually part of a sprinter platoon, they would be difficult to defeat from a small breakaway group. It looks different Jose Goncalves and Mads Würtz Schmidt out of. They are probably used when it is no longer quite so flat and the sprinter teams do not want to track as much. Alex Dowsett is strong in the time trial and should accordingly set the tone in the team time trial.
Tour de France teams: The squad from Katusha – Alpecin
- Jens Debusschere (Belgium)
- Alex Dowsett (UK)
- Jose Goncalves (Portugal)
- Marco Haller (Austria)
- Nils Politt (Germany)
- Mads Würtz Schmidt (Denmark)
- Rick Zabel (Germany)
- Ilnur Zakarin (Russia)
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Total – Direct Energy: 3 riders with a chance to win
The Total – Direct Energie team at the 2019 Tour de France also consists of a pure breakaway group. This time, however, they are a little stronger than in previous years. This is due Niki Terpstra. The Dutchman is one of the strongest drivers of his time in his field. If a really high speed is driven on the level, he is there. Accordingly, we will often see him on the run within the first two weeks. If it gets wavy, you build up energy with Total – Direct Lilian Calmejane. The Frenchman also knows how to win. He even cheered at the Tour de France. In the high mountains then the map Queen Taaramae played out. The Estonian is one of the most experienced professionals in the field and should know when the moment has come for the right escape group.
The sponsor wants to be presented
In person of Niccolo Boniface the Total – Direct Energie team also nominated a real sprinter. Due to the strong competition, the Italian will probably have a hard time even sprinting into the top five. The same applies to his approach Anthony Turgis. Therefore, the focus will also be on the breakaway groups on flat stages within the first week. Here we will Fabien Grellier, Paul Ourselin and Romain Sicard to see, even if they know as well as the team management that success is almost impossible. The teams of the top sprinters shouldn't be guilty of any mistakes. Perhaps Romain Sicard should therefore save his strength for the end of the Tour de France, because there the climbing-loving professional should have better chances.
Tour de France teams: The squad of Total – Direct Energie
- Niccolo Bonifazio (Italy)
- Lilian Calmejane (France)
- Fabien Grellier (France)
- Paul Ourselin (France)
- Romain Sicard (Spain)
- Rein Taaramae (Estonia)
- Niki Terpstra (Netherlands)
- Anthony Turgis (France)
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Wanty – Groupe Gobert: deserved invitation
The Belgian team Wanty - Groupe Gobert was invited again, although many French teams had hoped for a nomination. The main reason for the wildcard should be - next to the Grand Depart in Brussels - once again William Martin be. The Frenchman is also popular with many cycling fans outside of France because he embodies an interesting character. At the age of 26, he has already done a lot more in his life than just covered kilometers on his bike. As a part-time job, he is active as a philosopher and author. He has even written a play. Now the next goal should be a stage win in the Tour de France. But for that he would have to be behind in the overall standings, because most of the candidates for the podium will hardly let him drive. Maybe even the mountain jersey will come into focus. If he drives in the general classification, a place in the top ten would be a huge success. He should actually reach the top 20 with his quality. The most important helper acts in the mountains Xandro Meurisse.
The sponsor wants to be presented
Even if Guillaume Martin is the start of the team, we will mostly see the other nominees on TV. Wanty - Groupe Gobert has always justified the wildcard by being active in breakaway groups every day and thus helping to shape the race. You could almost bet house and yard that they will join the group for the opening stage in Brussels. At the Geraardsbergen wall, the first mountain jersey is even awarded there. Frederik Backaert such a coup would be just as capable as Yoann Offredo, Aime De Gendt and Odd Christian Eiking. Shouldn't be lively enough for that Kevin van Melsen. The strong Belgian is taking part in the Tour de France for the first time and will protect Guillaume Martin on the one hand and the team's sprinter on the other. You have this in person Andrea Pasqualon namely also with it. Last year, the Italian surprised with several finishes in the top ten.
Tour de France Teams: The squad of Wanty – Groupe Gobert
- Frederik Backaert (Belgium)
- Aimé De Gendt (Belgium)
- Odd Christian Eiking (Norway)
- Guillaume Martin (France)
- Xandro Meurisse (Belgium)
- Yoann Offredo (France)
- Andrea Pasqualon (Italy)
- Kevin van Melsen (Belgium)
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