Cycling: Riding the Tour de France is the dream of every aspiring professional cyclist. But for the established riders in the peloton, being there isn't everything. It's about results. This year's Tour of France will leave some disappointed athletes behind. Rarely have so many stars declared overall victory, the podium or the top 10 as their goal. We could six favorites seek out - but there are many other contenders for a good placement in Paris.
Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida)
Since Team Sky took the helm at the 2012 Tour de France, there have only been overall winners from this team – with one exception. In 2014, Chris Froome had to retire from the Tour of France injured, so the fight for the yellow jersey was suddenly open again. Vincenzo Nibali took his chance and completed his set of Grand Tour victories. The Messina Shark is hard to beat when it comes to reliability. Since 2009 he has completed 14 major national tours and finished in the top seven 13 times – an unbelievable statistic. No wonder that the experts are counting on the Italian again this year. How good is the shape? We do not know it. But Vincenzo Nibali skipped the Giro d'Italia to be fit for the Tour de France. The top 10 are firmly booked, but of course the climber, who is used to success, would like to at least get on the podium.
Alejandro Valverde (Movistar)
Alejandro Valverde is probably the best driver of the last 20 years – alongside Hattrick World Champion Peter Sagan, of course. There is hardly a race that corresponds to his abilities that he has not yet won. But over a period of three weeks there was almost always a better one. Valverde was at the start of a Grand Tour 22 times, he finished in the top eight 16 times - but he was only able to celebrate an overall victory in 2009 at the Vuelta a Espana. Balaverde – as his fans like to call him – is now 38 years old. It can be assumed that the Spaniard will soon end his career and, despite an incredibly successful time, was never able to win the Tour de France. That will probably not change this year either. Because Valverde is a team player and he knows that there are two riders in his team who are even stronger than him: Mikel Landa and Nairo Quintana. It can therefore be assumed that he is at the service of his colleagues, can finish in the top 10 himself and wants to secure a stage. Or can the cycling grandpa surprise us all in 2018 and crown his outstanding career?
 |
 |
Geraint Thomas (Sky)
In the past six years, Team Sky has won the Tour de France five times. That's how it should be this time too. Since Chris Froome might be disqualified or even given permission to start, the British team simply sent several potential overall winners into the race. Following the departures of Richie Porte and Mikel Landa, Geraint Thomas now enjoys the position just behind Captain Froome. The Brit won the Critérium du Dauphiné and presented himself as a mature classification driver. So far he hasn't been able to prove his strength over a three-week period, but that has rarely been his fault. After all, Thomas was almost exclusively active as a helper in his career. If his role changes, his results may change as well. In the time trial he is already among the best and in the mountains he seems to be on the way there. You should definitely reckon with Geraint Thomas – Chris Froome knows that too.
Wout Poels (Sky)
The Movistar and Sky teams are undoubtedly the strongest in the peloton. Perhaps the Tour de France has never had two teams this strong in the mountains before. While Movistar can count on Alejandro Valverde, Nairo Quintana and Mikel Landa, Sky counters with Chris Froome, Geraint Thomas and Wout Poels. The latter professional in particular has earned respect over the past few months. At the side of Chris Froome he acted as a precious helper in his Vuelta and Giro victory. Not infrequently, the spectators had the impression that Wout Poels could actually drive even faster. Images reminiscent of Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome in 2012. But Poels has so far held back. This could now change if the role of captain in this year's Tour de France suddenly becomes vacant again. However, Wout Poels is clearly at a disadvantage compared to Geraint Thomas when it comes to the fight against the clock.
Egan Bernal (Sky)
It's actually crazy to put a rider on the favorites list if they've never competed in a three-week tour before. But with Egan Bernal we have to make an exception. The only 21-year-old Colombian has had a steep ascent. In his first professional season, he directly won the Tour of Colombia and the Tour of California. Four day wins are added. In addition to the top results, the slight climber knew how to convince with his style. He hardly revealed any weaknesses and is able to get good results for his physique even in time trials. If Egan Bernal, at 21, is able to regenerate well during the tough three weeks and if he survives the ninth stage after Roubaix, then he could create a big sensation. However, this fairy tale is not very likely. He just lacks experience. He also has three teammates in his team who are still well ahead of him in the hierarchy. But dreaming is not forbidden.
 |
 |
 |
Rigoberto Uran (EF Education)
One of the big winners of 2017 was undoubtedly Rigoberto Uran. After many bad results, he suddenly emerged like a phoenix from the ashes at the Tour de France. His second place overall surprised even himself. Nevertheless, he is mostly forgotten as the top favorite at this year's Tour of France. One reason for this is the fact that he has had many ups and downs in his career. After his strong performance at the Tour de France, he still won the Milan-Turin one-day race, but his fans are still waiting for confirmation of his strength. Even the dress rehearsal in Slovenia didn't really go well. In the end he was second overall, but was almost two minutes behind Primoz Roglic. It almost looks like he's lost his good flow - but that's exactly what we thought about twelve months ago.
Adam Yates (Mitchelton Scott)
Yates? Yet again? Right and wrong, because this Yates here is Adam, not Simon. While Simon Yates was already looking like a certain winner at the Giro d'Italia, his twin brother Adam was preparing for the Tour de France. He finished fourth at the Tour of California and second at the Critérium du Dauphiné. Overall, Adam Yates has even better results than twin brother Simon. Quite a few experts are of the opinion that Adam is the better Yates. He has also shown his skills at three-week national tours. After all, two years ago he finished fourth in the Tour de France. Logical that he now wants to attack the podium. The stages to Mende and the Mur-de-Bretagne suit him perfectly. The shorter, more toxic and uneven the climbs, the more comfortable Adam Yates feels.
 |
 |
Jakob Fuglsang (Astana)
Team Astana had to let its strongest ranking rider go in the winter: Fabio Aru switched to the UAE team. The team leaders found out about this project much too late, so they could no longer sign a replacement. However, the bloodletting has not affected the results so far, as Astana are among the most successful teams of the season. When it comes to overall rankings, they found someone in their own ranks in Jakob Fuglsang who was able to close the gap to Aru. He drove to #4 in the Tour de Romandie and #2 in the Tour de Suisse. In any case, Jakob Fuglsang has been a strong tour driver for years. However, things rarely went well for him on a Grand Tour. Only in 2013 did he finish in the top 10 at the Tour de France. Now he feels the support of the whole team - and is aiming for the podium.
Primoz Roglic (LottoNL-Jumbo)
"Primoz Roglic jumps onto the podium" ... "Primoz Roglic flies away from everyone" ... "Primoz Roglic wants to aim high" ... many puns have been made on the former ski jumper's name over the past two years. Even if the journalists lack creativity, he himself will be delighted with the reports. After all, reports about Roglic were almost exclusively positive. Because without a doubt, the Slovenian is a candidate for a big tour victory. But so far he has called his strongest performance in one-week tours. He won the Tour of Basque Country, the Tour de Romandie and the Tour of Slovenia that season alone. Can he take the next step now?
Daniel Martin (UAE Team Emirates)
It's extremely rare for a rider like Daniel Martin to finish on the podium at a Grand Tour. Although he is usually one of the strongest in the mountains, he often ends up lagging far behind. The reason for this is his great weakness in fighting the clock. Daniel Martin is a gifted climber. He has an aggressive riding style and is difficult to beat in a sprint uphill. But if you put the Irishman on a time trial bike, he loses second by second to the competition. This will probably not change in his advanced age. Nevertheless, one should not underestimate him. If you give Daniel Martin too much freedom, he can certainly become dangerous. After all, he has already made it into the top 10 and there are probably only a few cycling fans who would not give him a podium place.
 |
 |
 |
Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha-Alpecin)
How good is Ilnur Zakarin really? The Russian may even ask himself this question. The now 28-year-old flashes his skills again and again. But he has not yet taken the final step. Now that he is in the prime of cycling age, many experts expect the final breakthrough to an absolutely winning class rider. He made a start on it last year. He finished fifth at the Giro d'Italia and third at the Vuelta a Espana. This season he gave up the Tour of Italy in order to be in top form for the Tour de France. So far, however, we have been looking in vain for good results in 2018. At the Critérium du Dauphiné, he finished tenth without a chance. Not enough to be able to achieve the same result at the Tour de France - especially since the ambitious Russian would hardly be satisfied with that.
Bauke Mollema (Trek Segafredo)
It was heartbreaking to watch Bauke Mollema miss the podium at the Tour de France two years ago. The Dutchman was so strong, he was even second in the overall standings. But a fall on the third to last stage destroyed all his dreams. Bauke Mollema flew back to eleventh place, shook himself briefly and, after the Tour de France, easily won the Clasica San Sebastian as a soloist. Now he gets a second chance. In his eighth Tour de France participation, he is aiming for the podium again. He benefits from the fact that not too many time trial kilometers have to be completed. If he survives the stage to Roubaix, he is a force to be reckoned with, even if he has not had good results so far this season.
Bob Jungels (Quick Step Floors)
Luxembourg is a cycling nation. It was only shortly after the Schleck brothers' era that Bob Jungels came into the limelight. The multiple Luxembourg champion is difficult to pigeonhole. It is clear that Bob Jungels is an excellent time trialist and is also good at climbing. In the overall rankings of the Gand Tours, however, his strength has not yet really shown itself. He finished in the top 10 twice at the Giro d'Italia, but he's never had a taste of the podium. Now he will contest the Tour de France for the second time. With the change from Daniel Martin, he can be sure of the captain's role in the team - at least in the mountains. With Fernando Gaviria, the Quick-Step Floors team also has a top sprinter in its own ranks. So Bob Jungels cannot look forward to much support.
 |
 |
 |
Rafal Majka (Bora-hansgrohe)
Rafal Majka is one of the most popular drivers. The Pole usually seems easygoing and cool, which is not so easy with Peter Sagan. But the two get along well and have previously hunted stages together in the Tinkoff-Saxo team. But that is exactly what Rafal Majka wants to change. No more stage wins and mountain jerseys. The Pole wants more. After three top 10 results at the Giro d'Italia, it should finally work out at the Tour de France. The potential for this is there, even if Majka will lose a lot of time in the time trial. The aggressive climber has proven multiple times that he is capable of turning a field completely upside down. But in the past few months he has been in a small form slump. Most recently, he only drove behind in California and Slovenia.
Guillaume Martin (Wanty Groupe Gobert)
If you count the Tour de France candidates for the top 10, Guillaume Martin should not be missing. The Frenchman has long been considered a mega talent in his home country and a possible future winner of the Tour de France. It's still a long way off in the international media, but there's a reason why the Wanty-Groupe Gobert side have been given a wild card. Many French people trust him to break the top 10 and be among the front runners in the years to come. We too, because otherwise we would hardly have it with us 5 to watch recorded. However, apart from his victory at the Circuit de la Sarthe, little speaks for him. In 2018, Guillaume Martin is having a hard time. He doesn't have to hide at all. The 25-year-old finished at #23 in the Tour de France last year. Even if he has his weaknesses in the time trial, he can keep up with the best in the mountains. With a bit of luck and good form, Guillaume Martin can fight for a place in the top 10.
Pierre Latour (AG2R La Mondiale)
In the AG2R La Mondiale team, Romain Bardet is considered the clear captain. The third of the last edition and the second a year ago wants to finally win the Grand Boucle. The whole team has to submit to this goal, including Pierre Latour. The 24-year-old Frenchman has his whole career ahead of him. Surely you will drive for him one day. At the 2018 Tour de France, Pierre Latour will play the role of helper, but the team management is intelligent enough to place him well. Because with Latour it is similar to Kelderman: If the leader drops out, the noble helper moves up. That Pierre Latour would be up to such a task, he has now proved several times. This season alone he finished third in the Tour of Catalonia, eighth in the Tour de Romandie and seventh in the Critérium du Dauphiné. So it's quite possible that we'll see a strong AG2R dual leadership - it wouldn't be the first time.
 |
 |
 |