Cycling: Only four days until the Tour de France 2017 starts in Düsseldorf. Next to the Favorites for the yellow jersey we would therefore also like to introduce you to the candidates for green, white and spotted. Who will secure the classification jerseys at this year's Tour de France?
The Green Jersey: Again no opponents for Peter Sagan?
In the last five years, Peter Sagan (Bora-hansgrohe) has won the points classification every time. Since 2012, the Slovakian has always been allowed to be photographed and celebrated in green on the Champs-Élysées. Experts are counting heavily on Peter Sagan again this year. No wonder, because the world champion will score on hilly stages and will also be able to finish at the front in the pure mass sprints. But who can challenge him? The German sprinters André Greipel (Lotto Soudal) and Marcel Kittel (Quick-Step Floors) as well as the Briton Mark Cavendish (Dimenson Data) concentrate more on stage wins. This is the only way to achieve success in the points classification. But without the intermediate sprints, a series winner would have no chance. Maybe Alexander Kristoff (Katusha-Alpecin), John Degenkolb (Trek-Segafredo) or Michael Matthews (Sunweb) will focus on green. They would also be able to score in undulating terrain. But actually the matter is relatively clear: If there is no series winner among the pure sprinters, Peter Sagan should hardly be able to take the green jersey.
The polka dot jersey: Which classification driver fails?
Since Richard Virenque retired, it has become almost impossible to predict who will win the mountains classification. David Moncoutie has always been a good choice, as has Rafal Majka (Bora-hansgrohe) in recent years. But towards the end of the Tour de France, those mountaineers who actually wanted to compete for a good place in the overall classification often fight for the dotted jersey. Rafal Majka doesn't really want to look at the mountain classifications this year. He is considered the captain of his team and is expected to compete for the podium. Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) will probably try that too. Should the Frenchman notice early on that he is lacking the grains, he could possibly change his goals to the mountains classification. The same goes for Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) and possibly even Esteban Chaves (Orica-Scott). Pierre Rolland (Cannondale-Drapac) wants to go for stage wins right from the start. He could also grab the mountain classifications in passing. The classification drivers know that Rolland poses no danger to them. Therefore, Pierre Rolland is our pick for the polka dot jersey.
The white jersey: does Emanuel Buchmann have a chance?
Year after year, the classification drivers of the future can be found in the ranking of the best young drivers. It is very gratifying that this year there is also a German driver among the candidates. Emanuel Buchmann (Bora-hansgrohe) is often mentioned as a possible wearer of the white jersey after his recent very strong performances. But his opponents are strong. One example would be Louis Meintjes (UAE). The South African will enjoy some freedom within his squad and may even receive support. Simon Yates (Orica-Scott) has the greatest successes of all the candidates. And then there's Pierre Latour (Ag2r). The young Frenchman is considered a huge talent and is said to one day win the Tour de France. Emanuel Buchmann's chances are not particularly good. Especially since the German has to support his bosses Rafal Majka and Peter Sagan.
