Cycling: Tomorrow is the day: The 109th Tour de France starts in Copenhagen with an individual time trial. The starters are set - and there are some German-speaking professionals with them. We look at your goals and opportunities.
 |
 |
German drivers as helpers with freedoms
With three Germans in their lineup, the Raubling-based Bora-Hansgrohe team has nominated the most riders under the German flag, including the newly crowned German champions. Lennard Kämna will not only be able to demonstrate his skills in the time trial, but especially in the mountains. The team management expects a similarly strong performance in the high mountains as he did at the Giro d'Italia. Lennard Kämna will certainly not only be used as a support rider for captain Aleksandr Vlasov, but will also enjoy the freedom to go for a stage win or even the King of the Mountains jersey. Road champion Nils Politt has been brought along to provide support on the flats. But he, too, will go for a stage win if the opportunity arises. What Kämna is to the mountains and Politt to the flats, Maximilian Schachmann is to the hilly terrain. He, too, will tackle several stages of the 2022 Tour de France aggressively. A stage win for one of these three riders seems relatively likely.
Alexander Krieger (Alpecin – Deceuninck) and John Degenkolb (DSM) face a tough three weeks as domestiques . While one is making his Tour de France debut, the other is looking forward to his eighth participation. Their roles within their teams are similar, however. Both are expected to support their sprinters – Jasper Philipsen on one side and Alberto Dainese on the other. Alexander Krieger likely shouldn't expect to ride for himself during the three weeks. The situation is different for John Degenkolb. The experienced German is particularly looking forward to the start of the Tour de France and the cobblestone stage. As an excellent classics specialist, these sections suit him well.
Team Cofidis boasts two German flags. Simon Geschke is looking forward to his tenth Tour de France, and Max Walscheid to his third. Given the French team's history of active and aggressive riding, we expect the two Germans to be at the forefront of the peloton again this year. Nevertheless, their primary roles will be support. Simon Geschke will be deployed as a strong climber for Guillaume Martin, while Max Walscheid will be needed by Bryan Coquard as a top time trialist and fast sprinter.
Jonas Rutsch (EF Education – EasyPost) and Georg Zimmermann (Intermarché – Wanty – Gobert Matériaux) can expect some freedom . While their teams also include professionals who rank higher in the pecking order, these teams have a less rigid tactical approach, so opportunities should arise throughout the three weeks. However, we will probably rarely see the two of them in the same group. Jonas Rutsch is more comfortable on flat terrain, while Georg Zimmermann can be considered a strong climber.
 |
 |
Loyal domestics from Austria
In Austria, too, the focus should be on seeing the local riders primarily as support riders. Felix Großschartner and Patrick Konrad will be deployed by Bora-hansgrohe to support captain Aleksandr Vlasov in the mountains, while Marco Haller will be responsible for safety on the flat sections. All three will likely have to put their own ambitions on hold for three weeks. The same applies to Gregor Mühlberger in the Spanish team Movistar. Although he – like Konrad and Großschartner – will certainly be allowed to join a breakaway in the second and third weeks, his main focus will be on supporting captain Enric Mas.
Michael Gogl (Alpecin – Deceuninck) and Sebastian Schönberger (B&B Hotels – KTM) , on the other hand, are hoping for a bit more freedom . The two Austrians ride for teams that are not part of the WorldTour. Accordingly, they will have to prove themselves on every stage to achieve good results and earn another invitation. If a mass sprint is unlikely, the team management will certainly want to fill the breakaways – and Gogl and Schönberger are both strong contenders for those positions.
 |
 |
Reliable like a Swiss watch
Right at the start of the Tour de France, the hopes of Swiss fans are highest. Stefan Bissegger (EF Education – EasyPost) and Stefan Küng (Groupama – FDJ) are among the favorites for the first stage win and thus the first yellow jersey. The time trial in Copenhagen could become a triumphant ride for Bissegger and/or Küng. As the 2022 Tour de France progresses, they – along with their compatriot Silvan Dillier (Alpecin – Deceuninck) – will hope to be included in breakaways from time to time. The cobblestone stage would offer a good opportunity, as would any section with a risk of crosswinds.
Due to Matteo Trentin's positive COVID-19 test, Marc Hirschi was called up to UAE Team Emirates as a replacement. The Swiss rider is considered one of the strongest punchers in all of professional cycling. However, it remains to be seen whether he will be able to demonstrate his abilities at this year's Tour de France. After all, Team UAE's focus is clearly on Tadej Pogacar and the yellow jersey. It is quite possible, therefore, that Marc Hirschi will have to accept a more supportive role.
https://www.velomotion.de/magazin/2022/06/radsport-tour-de-france-2022-wertungstrikots/
https://www.velomotion.de/magazin/2022/06/radsport-tour-de-france-2022-favoriten/