Cycling: How will the top teams Jumbo – Visma and Movistar perform at the 2021 Giro d'Italia? In our third part we take a look at these two teams, as well as Groupama - FDJ, the Israel Start-Up Nation, Intermarché - Wanty - Gobert and Lotto - Soudal. The skills of the nominated drivers of these teams could not be more different...
Click here for the Giro team presentation part #1
Click here for the Giro team presentation part #2
Click here for the Giro team presentation part #4
Groupama - FDJ
Stage victories through breakaway attempts are the goal
Without Thibaut Pinot, the Groupama – FDJ team will compete in the 2021 Giro d'Italia. Accordingly, you will probably not play a major role in the overall ranking. rudy molard might show up in the mountains, as well as Attila Valter and of course the Swiss Sebastian Reichenbach and his compatriot Matteo Badilatti. However, it will be more about stage wins than a top position in the overall ranking. Because no classic sprinter was included in the squad, we will probably see the French team appear very offensive overall. After all, they can perhaps provide some exercise and entertainment. Because all in all, you can unfortunately already see from this squad that the main focus is on the Tour de France and that the Tour of Italy is not a high priority for them.
The 8 Giro starters for Groupama – FDJ
121) Rudy Molard
122) Matteo Badilatti
123) Antoine Duchesne
124) Simon Guglielmi
125) Sebastian Reichenbach
126) Romain Seigle
127) Attila Valter
128) Lars van den Berg
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Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux
Somehow get the right group
As a newcomer to the WorldTour, the Belgian team Intermarché – Wanty – Gobert certainly doesn't have it easy. The squad is too weak to take part in three major national tours with a strong squad. Nevertheless, the eight nominated professionals can achieve something at the Giro d'Italia. In person of Andrea Pasqualon you have a good sprinter in your own ranks who has often not been far from a big stage win. Jan Hirt has already competed here at the Giro for an overall ranking. That might be difficult this season, but he's good enough for a stage win in the mountains. Also Queen Taaramae has recently shown that he is still a serious contender uphill. We can be excited Quinten Hermans, who has recently shown himself to be in good shape in the Ardennes classics and could cause a sensation as a classic breakaway.
This is Intermarché - Wanty - Gobert at the Giro 2021
131) Jan Hirt
132) Quinten Hermans
133) Wesley Kreder
134) Ricardo Minali
135) Andrea Pasqualon
136) Simone Petilli
137) Pure Taaramae
138) Taco van der Hoorn
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Israel Start Up Nation
Little support for Dan Martin
With Dan Martin on board, the Israel Start-Up Nation team is hoping for a top place in the overall ranking. At the age of 34, the Irishman has probably reached the zenith of his abilities and now wants to finally achieve good results at the Giro d'Italia. While he has finished in the top 10 several times and won stages at the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana, he has not been able to do so here in Italy. He can hope for support in the mountains, especially from Alessandro de Marchi. Otherwise, the range for the high mountains is clearly too weak. Patrick Bevin and Davide Cimolai are sprinters Matthias Brandle and Alex Dowsett strong time trialists. Krists Neilands and Guy Level will probably go in groups.
This is the Israel Start-Up Nation at the Giro 2021
141) Dan Martin
142) Patrick Bevin
143) Matthias Brandle
144) Davide Cimolai
145) Alessandro De Marchi
146) Alex Dowsett
147) Krist's Neilands
148) Guy level
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Jumbo–Visma
What can Bennett do as captain?
Last season, the Jumbo - Visma team finally rose to become one of the strongest teams on the WorldTour. This can also be seen in the Giro squad. Although the top stars are absent, the nominated pros can call out some realistic goals. George Bennett will go into the first Grand Tour of the year as captain and compete in the general classification. However, he must not hope for too much support, because the squad is rather weak for the high mountains. Only Koen Bouwmann and maybe with some deductions Tobias Foss and the German Paul Martens can serve as his help. Edward Affini is also a strong time trialist like Jose van Emden. All in all, the team is more strong on the level than sprinters Dylan Groenewegen comes towards. However, the Dutchman has not raced since causing the horrific fall of fellow countryman Fabio Jakobsen. We can be curious to see whether he will be able to get back into the mass sprints at the 2021 Giro d'Italia.
The 8 Giro starters for Jumbo – Visma
151) George Bennett
152) Edoardo Affini
153) Koen Bouwman
154) David Dekker
155) Tobias Foss
156) Dylan Groenewegen
157) Paul Martens
158) Jos van Emden
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Lotto – Soudal
Help Caleb Ewan & go in breakaways
Lotto – Soudal is all about Caleb ewan - and rightly so. After all, the little Australian is considered the strongest sprinter at the Giro d'Ialia 2021. Accordingly, the team management has put a strong team at his side. Jasper de Buyst and Roger Kluge will give him the sprint while the rest of the squad will work to catch up with the breakaways in time. If the profile is too difficult for Caleb Ewan, you go on the offensive yourself. With Thomas de Gendt, Tomasz Marczynski and Kobe Goossens you have nominated exactly the right people for this. could cause a surprise Harm Vanhoucke. The 23-year-old Belgian is a strong climber and could keep an eye on the general classification. If he has developed further this season, a top 10 finish at the end of a strong Grand Tour is a possibility.
Lotto – Soudal starts the Giro with this squad
161) Caleb Ewan
162) Jasper de Buyst
163) Thomas de Gendt
164) Kobe Goossens
165) Roger Kluge
166) Tomasz Marczynski
167) Stefano Oldani
168) Harm Vanhoucke
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Movistar
Marc Soler now has to prove himself
The Movistar team has had an enormous bloodletting over the past two years. Many top drivers have turned their backs on the team. The Spanish team failed to make up for losses with young, talented professionals. Also at the Giro d'Italia 2021 we can see that Movistar will be less strong than it would have been a few years ago. At least you have it with you Marc Soler nominated a captain capable of tackling the top 10 in the standings. However, it seems too early to expect a podium finish from him. On stage victories in the mountains Dario Cataldo drive, as well as compatriot Davide Villela. Both could support their captain in the high mountains. In good shape too Antonio Pedrero placeholder image to that in the laga. Nelson Oliveira however, hopes for a coup in the time trial, while Albert Torres is the best sprinter in the squad. But due to the strong competition, he will hardly be successful in mass sprints. Matteo Jorgenson and One Rubio are still rather unknown, but probably also have their strengths uphill. It will be interesting to see how these two young athletes develop during the Tour of Italy.
Movistar is sending these 8 professionals to Italy
171) Marc Soler
172) Dario Cataldo
173) Matteo Jorgenson
174) Nelson Oliveira
175) Antonio Pedrero
176) One Rubio
177) Albert Torres
178) Davide Villella
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