Cycling: In every cycling race there are winners and losers. Especially with a Grand Tour there is enough time to apply for one side or the other. Since the competition in the Tour de France is huge, it is not easy to achieve success. Still, we found three big winners - and at least three losers.
Roglic, Latour & Alaphilippe are the winners of the 2018 Tour de France
In addition to the big winner Geraint Thomas (Sky), who as a surprise winner is THE WINNER par excellence anyway, we met at least three other riders who can look forward to the Tour de France 2018. Above all Julian Alaphilippe (Quick Step Floors). The Frenchman – hitherto known as a strong puncher in sprints – now revealed his strengths in the high mountains. With two stage victories and the mountain jersey in his luggage, he will leave beaming with joy. He is just as capable of doing a Grand Tour in the future as he is Primois Roglic (LottoNL-Jumbo). The Slovenian used to be a ski jumper, but has now made his breakthrough in cycling. We have known for months that he is one of the strongest riders in the peloton at week-long tours. Now we know: Roglic could even win a big national tour at some point. The same applies to Pierre Latour (AG2R La Mondiale) who managed to win the white jersey despite having to help his captain Romain Bardet.
D-2 before #paris avec ce beau maillot . Truc de thingue.
Thank you all !!!@quickstepteam @LeTour
📷@gettysport pic.twitter.com/FGtFnQgO60—Julian Alaphilippe (@alafpolak) July 27, 2018
The 2018 Tour de France was disappointing for Kittel, Barguil & Bardet
While we list two French on the winning side, we also find two on the losing side. Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale) has big plans for the 2018 Tour de France. No wonder, then with Chris Froome (Sky) and Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) the two top favorites already had the Giro d'Italia in their legs. However, this did not prevent them from landing well ahead of Bardet. The French disappointed his fans immensely. After a second and a third place, this time it was only enough for sixth place - and that despite the super omens. The same thing happened to his compatriot Warren Barguil (Fortuneo-Samsic). Last year he won two stages and the mountain jersey. This time he went completely empty-handed, and he couldn't drive in the overall ranking either. An overall very disappointing Tour de France also experienced Marcel Kittel (Katusha-Alpecin). Last year's top sprinter (5 stage wins!) wasn't allowed to celebrate this time. Only a third place is recorded - and then came the end stage eleven.