Giro d'Italia: Giro d'Italia 2019: 8 Germans, 3 Swiss & 2 Austrians

Cycling: The start list for the Giro d'Italia 2019 is completed. On Saturday, eight Germans, three Swiss and two Austrians will tackle the first Grand Tour of the year. Most German-speaking professionals have three tough weeks ahead of them as helpers. Our hopes of winning the stage rest primarily on two German riders. Below we look at all 13 professionals mentioned and explain their tasks.

Pascal Ackermann with chances of winning in the mass sprint

A total of eight Germans will tackle the Giro d'Italia 2019 in Bologna on Saturday. We can count on realistic chances of victory at least up to stage #11. With Pascal Ackermann (Bora – hansgrohe) the German fans are cheering for one of the strongest sprinters in the field. So as long as the stages are flat, it's worth keeping your fingers crossed for the German champion. But expectations shouldn't be set too high. Because Pascal Ackermann is contesting his first Grand Tour. Quite possible that he will get out after the eleventh stage. After that it gets extremely hilly and there is really only one chance left for the sprinters.

Which stage would you like to have, Mr. Denz?

Even if the Giro d'Italia 2019 gets a bit hilly, the Germans are not without a chance of winning. Nico Denz (AG2R La Mondiale) proved last year that he can finish sections with a high requirement profile well ahead. Stages #6 and #7 in particular should suit him. After a few mass sprints on the first few days, there is a chance that a breakaway group will make it through. With extremely good legs, Nico Denz could also aim for sections #12, #15 and #17. Stage #18 will only be interesting if the strongest sprinters have already said goodbye. Either way: Nico Denz can look at numerous possibilities. Which stage would you like to have, Mr. Denz?

German duel in the sprint preparation: Kluge vs. Schwarzmann & Selig

In addition to Nico Denz and Pascal Ackermann, the other six German starters can of course also win a stage at the Giro d'Italia. The quality is there, otherwise there would have been no nomination at all. But the following professionals were mainly chosen for important helper services. Michael Schwarzman (Bora – hansgrohe) and Rüdiger Selig (Bora – hansgrohe) are mainly responsible for Pascal Ackermann's sprint move. If they do a good job, the chances of winning for the German champions increase enormously. has the same task Roger Kluge (Lotto – Soudal) – but for the Australian competitor Caleb Ewan. This duo can be recognized mainly because of their different body sizes. With his 1,93 m Roger Kluge can donate a lot of slipstream to his sprint captain Caleb Ewan, who is only 1,65 m tall. In the mass sprints, Roger Kluge will be the last man in front of starter Jasper De Buyst.

Sütterlin, Knees & Martens support their class drivers

Jasha Sütterlin (Movistar), Christian Knees (Ineos) and Paul Martens (Jumbo – Visma) have slightly different tasks to perform. There are no sprinters in their teams. Instead, the teams rely on the overall standings. Jasha Sutterlin will be featured whenever he has to support Mikel Landa and Richard Carapaz. Since the Spanish team was put together very mountain-heavy overall, Jasha Sütterlin can almost be described as a noble helper on the flat. The German is hoping for good results for himself in the three time trials. Paul Martens on the other hand, as a helper on the level, he is not quite so alone. Along with Jos van Emden and Tom Leezer, he will be the most important man for captain Primoz Roglic on flat stages. Even if it gets a bit hilly, the Slovenian can count on the reliable services of Paul Martens. A very special task this year Christian knees to fulfill. On his 20th Grand Tour, the 38-year-old will primarily be needed as a mentor. Without him, the Ineos squad would have an average age of just over 23 years. He will also be seen particularly often on flat stages.

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— Tao Geoghegan Hart (@taogeoghegan) 7 Maj 2019

Stage winners from Switzerland and Austria are unlikely

The Swiss and Austrians are not heavily represented at the 2019 Giro d'Italia with three and two riders respectively. Accordingly, it should be difficult to win a stage. None of the five registered drivers is eligible for the classification jerseys either. Instead, they are needed in their teams as helpers. Like the German pros, they are mainly seen on flat terrain.

Hardly any freedom for the 5 Austrians and Swiss

The Swiss Danilo Wyss (Dimension Data) can be used as a helper for sprinter Giacomo Nizzolo on flat stages or as a protector for classification rider Ben O'Connor. A similar role will take his compatriot Reto Hollenstein and the Austrian Mark Haller in the Katusha – Alpecin team. They are an important support for leader Ilnur Zakarin when approaching the mountains and they can also enable Enrico Battaglin to make a strong sprint. Tom Bohli (UAE Team Emirates) from Switzerland was also nominated for the sprint preparation. He is supposed to position Captain Fernando Gaviria and his driver Juan Sebastian Molano perfectly. Austria Michael Gogl enjoys perhaps even the greatest freedom in the Trek – Segafredo team. In the mountains, the team management builds on Bauke Mollema and on flat terrain on sprinter Matteo Moschetti, but we will definitely see Michael Gogl in a breakaway group on slightly hilly terrain.