Cycling: At the Tour de France 2021, all experts expect another duel between Tadej Pogacar and Primoz Roglic. The two Slovenes are not the only ones who have chances of overall victory. We have identified 6 Tour de France favorites for the yellow jersey.
Tadej Pogacar (UAE)
As the reigning tour winner, Tadej Pogacar is of course the top favorite for overall victory again this year. The Slovenian impressed right away on his first Tour of France and was probably the biggest surprise winner since Oscar Pereiro. Now it is time to confirm and repeat this achievement. Unlike last year, all eyes will now be on him from the first stage. So far, the 22-year-old hasn't given the impression that he's going to let that bother him. He was also successful after the Tour de France. Among other things, he has already won Liège – Bastogne – Liège, Tirreno – Adriatico and the UAE Tour this season. Actually, there is no way around him, also because he has proven himself as a strong time trialist. If Tadej Pogacar is in top form again, he is the favorite for overall victory in the Tour de France this year.
Primoz Roglic (Jumbo – Visma)
The biggest challenger to defending champion Tadej Pogacar this year is likely to be Primoz Roglic. The two Slovenians proved to be the strongest drivers in the rankings last year – especially in France. Already regarded as a sure winner, Primoz Roglic lost the yellow jersey to his compatriot in the time trial on the penultimate day. However, this does not seem to have caused him any lasting damage. Primoz Roglic won the Vuelta a Espana and Liège-Bastogne-Liège just a few weeks later. Now he wants to decide the Grand Boucle for himself - and not a little believe that he will succeed. Without a doubt he has one of the best teams at his side. And with a good deal of anger in his stomach, he might tickle the necessary remaining percentage out of himself. Either way, the duel between Roglic and Pogacar should be exciting.
Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers)
While everyone is talking about the Roglic vs. Pogacar duel, the Slovenian challengers can calmly prepare for the tour and play the outsider role themselves. Actually unbelievable that this also applies to the British team Ineos Grenadiers. Because the squad is gigantic strong. Richie Porte and Tao Geoghegan Hart are only noble helpers - reigning winner of the Criterium du Dauphine and last year's Giro winner, after all. One of the two leaders is Geraint Thomas, who won the Tour de France a few years ago. Now he wants to take what might be his last chance and repeat his triumph from back then. His big advantage over most other competitors is his strength in time trials. However, we cannot completely ignore the fact that the absolute top results have declined somewhat in recent months.
Richard CarapazIneos Grenadiers
Second captain in the Ineos Grenadiers team is Richard Carapaz. The Ecuadorian won the 2019 Giro d'Italia and the 2021 Tour de Suisse. He also finished second at the Vuelta a Espana last year - beaten only by Primoz Roglic. For many, Richard Carapaz is the leader of the Ineos Grenadiers team because he seems to be stronger in the mountains than his teammate Geraint Thomas. And he has also improved in time trials in recent years. Presumably Ineos Grenadiers will try to keep as many drivers as possible in the overall standings for as long as possible. The third week, however, will show who will ultimately have the full support of their teammates. Because against the Slovenia duo it will need the entire team strength.
Miguel Angel Lopez (Movistar)
Miguel Angel Lopez is now 27 years old. He lost his status as a talent long ago. His fans and especially his employer now want to see results. And now he has changed employers. The Colombian was drawn from Astana to Movistar. Here he is now the undisputed captain, even if you can never be sure with the Spanish team that they won't drive through France with a three-man lead again. If you really focus on Miguel Angel Lopez, a podium place can definitely jump out. He's already managed to do this at the Vuelta a Espana and the Giro d'Italia. Not yet in the Tour de France. But that should change now. The two flat time trials speak against him. Since he will lose a few minutes there, he has to recover them in the mountains. For that he needs to be in top form, as he showed a few days ago. Miguel Angel Lopez won the Mont Ventoux Dénivelé Challenge by over two minutes.
Rigoberto Uran (EF – Nippo)
Almost at the last second, Rigoberto Uran made it into the list of top favourites. The Colombian finished second overall in the 2017 Tour de France. After that, he fell into a small hole and was unable to consistently repeat his performance at the time. The same thing happened to him before this success, as he had already finished second in the Giro d'Italia in 2013 and 2014. Now he seems to be in good shape again and at the age of 34 he is celebrating his third spring. At the Tour de Suisse he finished second overall and won the time trial with ease. If he can carry this form into the three-week Tour de France, he's a good candidate for the podium - and maybe even more.
