Cycling: The yellow jersey is the most valuable trophy in cycling. Numerous teams and riders will also compete in the 2020 Tour de France to make this dream come true. We look at those teams that can have realistic hopes.
Here is the first part of the team introduction!
Ineos: All for Bernal and the title defense
The biggest surprise in being nominated for the 2020 Tour de France undoubtedly came from Great Britain. Without Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas, Team Ineos will start in Nice. So you voluntarily do without 5 of the last 7 tour winners. As crazy as that sounds, it's understandable. Now the entire team can look forward to defending the title Egan Bernal focus. And of course, despite the two missing superstars, he has a strong team at his side. With Richard Carapaz After all, he has the reigning Giro winner as his noble helper. Pavel Shivakov could probably easily make it into the top 10. Added with Michal Kwiatkowski, Dylan van Baarle, Andrey Amador and Jonathan Castroviejo four real all-rounders. In recent years they have shown that they have no problems on hilly terrain and can at least guide their captain into the climbs in the high mountains. Luke Rowe will be there primarily on the plain to protect Egan Bernal.
Jumbo - Visma: The yellow train wants to shock Ineos
Within the Tour de France we have had to get used to one image over the past few years. Ineos leads the peloton through 21 stages, equalizing all dangerous attacks. There was often talk of boredom. Now, however, an opponent who is at least equal has been found. The Jumbo - Visma team is competing with a real top group and will make Ineos move forward with it. As a clear captain will Primois Roglic sent into the race. The Slovenian drove everything into the ground after the Corona break. He dominated the Tour de l'Ain and the Critérium du Dauphiné until he had to retire after a fall. When he's doing so well in the Tour de France, he'll be hard to beat. Add to that his incredibly strong team. Tom Dumoulin could step in as a classification driver if Primoz Roglic still has problems with his fall injuries. George Bennett and Sepp Kiss are in the form of their lives and would start the Tour as leaders for most other teams. Robert Geink provides the necessary experience. In addition, he was even at his best in the Tour de France fifth and sixth once. And as if that hadn't been the case, wear it too wout van aert the yellow and black jersey. The Belgian is THE driver of the hour. He can ensure stage wins on flat stages and even support his leaders on hilly terrain. In the plane responsible for the work are mainly Amund Jansen and Tony Martin.
Groupama – FDJ: Pinot finally wants to bring the tour victory home
It was heartbreaking, sad and tragic. The pictures of the crying Thibaut Pinot went around the world. The Frenchman has never been so strong. The tears of numerous fans flowed together with him. After all, the French have been dreaming of a local tour winner since 1985. So this year it should work. The strong climber is supported by his compatriot David Gaudi. Together with the Swiss Sebastian Reichenbach he will be the one who has to stand by Thibaut Pinot for a long time in the high mountains. Valentin Madouas and Rudy Molard this is also possible, at least on hilly terrain. More responsible for working on flat terrain William Bonnet, Matthieu Ladagnous and the Swiss Stefan Kung.
Bora – hansgrohe: Buchmann & Sagan should fix it again
The German fans are particularly looking forward to the Bora – hansgrohe team at the 2020 Tour de France. Thanks to Emmanuel Buchman After many years we can finally cheer for a classification driver from Germany again. Fourth last year, he wants to tackle the podium this time. He is supported by the recently fallen Maximilian Schachman. The German champion from last year proved this season that he can not only keep up with the best on hills, but also on mountains in top form. The same applies to Lennard Kamna, who took the next step after his team change and could become a real noble helper in the high mountains - and that at the age of 23. The two Austrians too Gregor Mühlberger and Felix Grossschartner are a great help in the mountains. You can only afford this focus on the climbing team because Peter Sagan is a sprinter who hardly needs any help. The Slovak is aiming for the eighth win of the green jersey and of course at least one stage win. are responsible for him Lukas Pöstlberger and Daniel Oss, who can push properly in the plane.
UAE: Pogacar could become the star of the tour
When talking about the favorites to win the tour, the name comes up Tadej pogacar late. This is exactly what the UAE team could build on. Because the Slovenian is definitely more than just an outsider. At the Vuelta a Espana last year – his first Grand Tour ever – he finished third straight away and won three stages. Now he is sharing the captaincy role at the 2020 Tour de France Fabio Aru. Both can be trusted to place well in the overall standings, even if the latest results here clearly speak for Pogacar. And otherwise the UAE team is well prepared for the mountains. David de la Cruz, Davide Formolo and Jan Polanc will appear both as helpers and as escapees in the high mountains. UAE touches down on flat stages alexander christoff, that of his fellow Norwegian Vegard stake lengths and from Marco Marcato can expect support.
Trek – Segafredo: Porte & Mollema as dual leaders
Richie Porte and Bauke Mollema have made the top 10 in a Grand Tour a total of eight times. But they have one thing in common: they have never made it onto the podium. It is questionable whether this should happen in the top-class Tour de France 2020. Either way, Trek – Segafredo will also be targeting stage wins in addition to the yellow jersey. Kenny Elissonde is made for a strong breakaway group in the high mountains. Tom's Skujins has repeatedly proved to be a man for escape groups. World Champion Mads pedersen recently even presented itself as a sprinter. In the level should Jasper Stuyven, Edward Theuns and Niklas Eg cause a stir. So it's quite possible that we'll see a man in the group on flat stages, and later a small train in a bunch sprint.
Arkéa – Samsic: Quintana is suddenly almost the same again
Surprise: Nairo Quintana has not only gotten older, but also completely the same as before – almost at least. After two weak years, the Colombian seems to be back in top form. The fact that there is no flat time trial suits him very well. So can he still achieve great success in a Tour de France after all? Question marks are at least behind the performance of his new team. With Warren Barguil, Winner Anacona and Diego Rosa he has three strong climbers at his side, but these three haven't been in top form lately either. Mentally is brother Dayer Quintana definitely a support. On flat terrain we will sprint in a bunch or in groups Kevin Ledanois, Clement Russo and Connor Swift watch at work.
AG2R La Mondiale: Bardet & Latour on farewell tour
A lot will change at AG2R La Mondiale for the coming season. Among other things, the two climbers Romain Bardet and Pierre Latour turn your back on the team. At this Tour de France, however, they should get the coals out of the fire for the team once again. The goal is clearly the podium. Bardet should be the captain on paper, but Latour has hardly been weaker in recent months. If the overall ranking doesn't work out, the team has to rely entirely on breakaway groups, because they haven't nominated a really strong sprinter. For classic hunters Oliver naesen however, it will be difficult to win a stage, as hardly any groups will be successful on flat sections. The same probably applies to Benoit Cosnefroy, who finally made the breakthrough this season and definitely poses a threat from a small group. Alexis Vuillermoz at least has the advantage that hilly terrain suits him and a successful escape is much more likely there. The line-up is completed by AG2R La Mondiale Mikaël Cherel, Nans Peters and Clément Venturini by three other Frenchmen. They are considered loyal helpers and can hope to get the go on a stage.
Astana: Uncertain objective with strong troops
The objectives of the Astana team this year are not quite as clear as with other teams. Although we can expect that Miguel Angel Lopez focused on the general classification, but what happens if he falls behind there quite early? Recently, the Colombian has presented himself less strongly. For him, at most, the brothers could Gorka and Ion Izagirre jump into the breach. But even he has never clinched the really big result in the overall classification at a Grand Tour. Of course, the team management knows that too, which is why we expect Team Astana to be extremely aggressive – as usual. Omar friar for example in the mountains will certainly be in the breakaway group a few times. Luis Leon Sanchez and Alexey Lutsenko will tend to choose wavy sections and then press the tube properly there. These three are made for a stage win as a soloist, but can also support their leaders in the battle for the top 10 in the mountains. Hugo Houle and Harold Tejada complete the Astana squad for the 2020 Tour de France. As typical water carriers, they will play a more defensive role.
Bahrain – McLaren: Lots of experience, little return?
Bahrain – McLaren competes in Nice with an extremely experienced squad. 7 drivers are 29 or older. Only Matej Mohoric pushes the average age down a bit. The Slovenian is also a hot potato for a stage win. Together with the Austrian Mark Haller but will he also have the task Sonny Colbrelli to get into position in bunch sprints. If it becomes mountainous, enter Wouter Poels and Mikel Landa the stage. Former helpers, they now finally want to achieve success themselves. They'll ride GC as long as there's a chance of a top finish. If hope dwindles, a switch to stage wins or the mountain jersey is conceivable. The rest of the troop could also be considered for a breakaway group in the mountains. Pello Bilbao, Damiano Caruso and Rafael Valls are made for a long escape in the mountains of a Grand Tour.
EF: stage hunt or look at the overall ranking
Not only because of their jerseys, Team EF will also provide an interesting splash of color this year. The team has always impressed with an unconventional and almost revolutionary driving style. Always active, always offensive, EF tries to give every rider in the team a chance. We will also see that at the Tour de France 2020. Even if the team Rigoberto Uran and Daniel Martinez has nominated two classification drivers. Hugh Carthy, Neilson Powless, Sergio Higuita and Tejay van Garderen are known to be strong climbers and will accompany their captains as far as possible in the high mountains. Of course we will also see them in breakaway groups where they should have a realistic chance of stage wins. Alberto Bettiol and Jens Keukeleire feel more comfortable on flat or slightly undulating terrain. The two classic hunters are good sprinters, but are only allowed to reach the finish line with a few companions.
Movistar: Mas, Soler or Valverde again?
Last year, Team Movistar made some tactical mistakes in the Tour de France. With Nairo Quintana, Alejandro Valverde and Mikel Landa, they opted for three captains instead of committing themselves to one. Then there was a great upheaval. But this year, too, we seem to be able to adjust to a top three. Because next to old masters Alejandro Valverde report too Enric Mas and Marc Soler claims. Most recently, the ex-world champion was simply not strong enough. As we know Movistar, however, they will not commit themselves to one driver for a very long time - and this may mean that all chances are lost again. The rest of the team plays a subordinate role. Nevertheless, we will not only see them as helpers, but also in various escape groups. While Imanol Erviti and Joaquin Rojas are more at home on the plain are allowed to Dario Cataldo, Nelson Oliveira and Carlos Verona show in the mountains.
