Cycling: Peter Sagan seems to have booked the green jersey for the 2019 Tour de France. Nevertheless, there are some top sprinters at the start who will fight for stage wins on flat stages. In this second part, we present all the Tour de France teams that primarily rely on a good sprinter.
Bora – hansgrohe: Dancing at several weddings
The German team Bora – hansgrohe has continued to develop over the past few years. However, the steps forward have never been as great as this season. Although Rafal Majka will not be at the start of the Tour de France, we are looking at an extremely strong squad. Of course, the three-time world champion is the leader peter sagan, who, after a long time, will start without a world champion jersey or national champion jersey. However, as every year, his goal is the green jersey plus stage wins. We will help him particularly intensively Marcus Burghardt, Lukas Postlberger and Daniel Oss. On the flat, all three are absolute speed bumps. Groups can be brought back quickly and late attacks thwarted. If Peter Sagan can win a stage, you will probably not find anyone from Bora - hansgrohe in the breakaway group.
Buchmann, Konrad & Schachmann enjoy freedom
When Peter Sagan finds it too difficult to win a stage, the other half of the squad springs into action. So it's fair to say that the team is split in two, at least in terms of terrain. As a captain in the mountains is probably Emmanuel Buchman. The German presented himself so well at the Critérium du Dauphiné that he can now compete in the overall classification at the Tour de France. Almost at the same time, he also finished third overall in the Tour de Suisse Patrick Conrad. The freshly crowned Austrian champion will probably act as a noble helper. But he should enjoy freedom just like the German champion Maximilian Schachman. Both have their qualities on hilly and slightly mountainous stages. Is it too easy for these three but too difficult for Sagan, kick Gregor Muehlberger on the plan. The Austrian is made for a hilly transfer stage. Bora – hansgrohe has chances of stage wins and overall good results thanks to a few drivers.
Tour de France teams: The squad from Bora – hansgrohe
- Emanuel Buchmann (Germany)
- Marcus Burghardt (Germany)
- Patrick Konrad (Austria)
- Gregor Mühlberger (Austria)
- Daniel Oss (Italy)
- Lukas Postlberger (Austria)
- Peter Sagan (Slovakia)
- Maximilian Schachmann (Germany)
 |
 |
Deceuninck - Quick-Step: Viviani wants his first win
Many fans know that Mark Cavendish has already won 30 stages in the Tour de France and Marcel Kittel has 14 victories. However, a top sprinter of our generation has not yet celebrated a single win: Elijah Viviani. The Italian only competed in the Tour de France in 2014. Now, at the age of 30, he finally wants to cheer on the Tour of France. As usual, he has a strong team at his side. His approach drivers are primarily responsible for his sprint preparation Maximilian Richeze and pacemaker Michael Morkov. These three form the trio when it comes to the last kilometer of a flat stage. worry about it Kasper Asgreen and Yves Lampaert and Dries Deveynns to ensure that the breakaways are caught up again in good time. No other team has put together such a strong team for the level at this year's Tour de France.
Alaphilippe & Mas are on their own
Only two pros from the Deceuninck – Quick-Step team will not take part in the chase of the escapees. Julian Alaphilippe will - as in previous years - keep an eye on the mountain jersey and want to win one or the other stage. If the Frenchman finds himself in a breakaway on hilly terrain, he will be hard to beat. He is extremely strong in sprinting, can ski well downhill and is also one of the best uphill. In order for him to be let drive by the peloton, he first has to fall behind in the overall standings. The tactics are completely different Enric Mas Nicolau look. The Spaniard will be the GC man for Deceuninck – Quick-Step. Last year, with second place at the Vuelta a Espana, he already showed that he can keep up with the strongest climbers in the high mountains. If he remains constant in France, the top ten and the white jersey are possible.
Tour de France Teams: Deceuninck's squad - Quick-Step
- Julian Alaphilippe (France)
- Kasper Asgreen (Denmark)
- Dries Devenyns (Belgium)
- Yves Lampaert (Belgium)
- Enric Mas (Spain)
- Michael Morkov (Denmark)
- Maximiliano Richeze (Argentina)
- Elijah Viviani (Italy)
 |
 |
Lotto – Soudal: 100% stage hunt
At Lotto - Soudal, too, the main focus is on the sprint finishes. With Caleb ewan the Belgian team has a very fast man in their own ranks. The Australian was already successful at the Giro d'Italia and has settled in well after his team change. Now he should win stages for Lotto - Soudal, like André Greipel once did. His approach will Jasper de Buyst be, the pacemaker in the row in front is the German Roger Kluge. If there is a very strong breakaway group, they will participate in the tracking work in the peloton just as much as the main group intended for this Jens Keukeleire. Lotto – Soudal riders will therefore not go in groups on flat stages. A mass sprint is to be forced and Caleb Ewan is to win it as best he can.
The motto: mass sprint or escape group
If the stage profile is too difficult for Caleb Ewan, the Lotto – Soudal approach will change. Now the focus is on the breakaway group. With thomas degendt you have the absolute king of the breakaway in your own ranks. He will mainly focus on moderately difficult mountain stages. Quite possible that you can take him there with you Maxim Monfort provide a helper. The experienced Belgian also likes to be part of a breakaway group, but no longer has what it takes to win a stage in the Tour de France. his compatriot Tim Wellens however, yes. The 28-year-old is one of the strongest pros in the peloton on hilly terrain. If he is in a group on a corresponding stage, he probably only has to fear Julian Alaphilippe. However, he also has what it takes to wait for his chance with such an arrival in the peloton. The role of is somewhat uncertain Tiesj Benoot. He was actually always considered a classic hunter, but recently he also proved his climbing skills. Maybe he will even drive on the general classification.
Tour de France teams: The squad of Lotto – Soudal
- Tiesj Benoot (Belgium)
- Jasper De Buyst (Belgium)
- Thomas De Gendt (Belgium)
- Caleb Ewan (Australia)
- Jens Keukeleire (Belgium)
- Roger Kluge (Germany)
- Maxime Monfort (Belgium)
- Tim Wellens (Belgium)
 |
 |
Arkéa – Samsic: Greipel still wants a win
It came as a surprise André Greipel last year announced his move to the French second division Arkéa - Samsic. But the German didn't have many other options either, because the sprinter places in the top teams have already been taken. But since the now 36-year-old wanted to ride the Tour de France again, he had to choose a team with a good chance of a wildcard – and that has now worked out. At Arkéa - Samsic he is the undisputed number one on flat stages. Nevertheless, there are question marks behind its form. This year he won only one stage. In addition, he is now missing his actual driver, Robert Wagner. No one can replace him in his position. So we won't see a real sprint move for André Greipel. But probably will Kevin Ledanois and Florian Vachon be responsible for docking the German to a suitable rear wheel. In the style of Robbie McEwan, Greipel will then be on his own. He doesn't lack experience.
Barguil could attack the mountain jersey
Arkéa – Samsic, as a wildcard team, will not just put everything on a mass sprint, despite André Greipel. If you realize that the German looks old in the sprint finishes, you will want to be part of the breakaway group even on flat sections. Then either the aforementioned Kevin Ledanois and Florian Vachon are sent on the offensive, or one of the other drivers. The strengths of Amael Moniard, Anthony Delaplace and Maxim Bouet but are rather on hilly, if not even mountainous terrain. We can be particularly excited Elie Gesbert. The 24-year-old Frenchman is considered to be a future classification driver and could try his luck in this direction. Will definitely be very offensive Warren Barguil. The only question is whether he wants to duel with Julian Alaphilippe in the mountains classification or whether he tries to look good in the overall classification. The first would actually be recommended, because then he has a good chance of winning a stage.
Tour de France teams: The squad of Arkéa – Samsic
- Warren Barguil (France)
- Maxim Bouet (France)
- Anthony Delaplace (France)
- Elie Gesbert (France)
- Andre Greipel (Germany)
- Kevin Ledanois (France)
- Amael Moinard (France)
- Florian Vachon (France)
 |
 |
Jumbo – Visma: double lead Groenewegen & Kruijswijk
The Jumbo – Visma team has steadily improved over the past few years. Now you are in such a strong position that you can do without Primoz Roglic in the Tour de France. The Slovenian has an intense Giro d'Italia in his legs and needs a break. Instead, the yellow-black team will rise in the overall standings Steven Kruijswijk set. The Dutchman has finished in the top five at all three major national tours. However, he is often overlooked by the top climbers because he rarely attacks himself and is not a particularly explosive driver. So while you have to reckon with him in the mountains, he is on flat stages Dylan Groenewegen the leader of the team. He is currently considered the best sprinter in the world. Stage victories are therefore firmly planned by the strong Dutchman.
Van Aert could be the surprise of the tour
Due to the dual leadership in Team Jumbo - Visma, the two leaders have to share the team. For Steven Kruijswijk, the high mountains are above all George Bennett and Laurens de Plus planned. Both are considered strong climbers and should actually be available to the captain until the middle of the final climb. Should Kruijswijk not reach his top form, the two will then present themselves in breakaway groups. Dylan Groenewegen can up in the sprints Tony Martin as preparers and breakaway hunters, as well as on Amund Grondahl Jansen and Mike Teunissen build as a driver. At the same time, Tony Martin is of course hoping for good results in the individual time trial. He will lead the team in the team time trial. A protected role may well wout van aert enjoy. The Belgian is driving his first Tour de France and has probably surprised and convinced everyone over the past few months. Started as a classic hunter, the crosser recently also won a time trial and a mass sprint. It looks like Peter Sagan will get a new contender in the fight for green.
Tour de France teams: The squad of Jumbo – Visma
- George Bennett (New Zealand)
- Laurens de Plus (Belgium)
- Dylan Groenewegen (Netherlands)
- Amund Grondahl Jansen (Norway)
- Steven Kruijswijk (Netherlands)
- Tony Martin (Germany)
- Mike Teunissen (Netherlands)
- Wout Van Aert (Belgium)
 |
 |
Sunweb: Total realignment without Dumoulin
Unfortunately, the German team Sunweb will start the Tour de France 2019 without Tom Dumoulin. The Dutchman had to pull out of the Giro d'Italia injured and will now also miss the Tour de France. Therefore, the focus in Team Sunweb has changed fundamentally. There are probably no longer any candidates for a top position in the overall standings. But conceivable that wilco kelderman will now try to position itself as far ahead as possible. As a strong time trialist, the few kilometers in the fight against the clock are not convenient for him. In the high mountains he is also less capable of keeping up with the absolute mountain goats. He may therefore appear as a stage hunter in the high mountains. Also need to go in groups for potential success in the mountains Nicholas roche and Chad Haga.
Matthews could fight for green
The Sunweb team has the best chances of a day's victory Michael Matthews. The Australian won the green jersey in 2017 after Peter Sagan was unfairly disqualified and Marcel Kittel retired. With Tom Dumoulin absent, he could now be the focus of the team's goals. But for this you would have to start for him in mass sprints instead of for him Nickias Arndt. The German is perhaps even stronger in flat sprints. When it comes to green, however, Michael Matthews has to score against Peter Sagan both in mass sprints and on hilly terrain. Either way, the two sprinters will probably mainly get support from Cees Bol, who is also fast-paced himself and therefore serves as a good starter. Soren Kragh Andersen and Lennard Kamna we'll probably see it mostly in breakaways when the terrain gets too tough for Michael Matthews. Especially the young German Kämna has recently convinced and could be a great discovery at this year's Tour de France.
Tour de France teams: The Sunweb squad
- Nikias Arndt (Germany)
- Cees Bol (Netherlands)
- Chad Haga (USA)
- Wilco Kelderman (Netherlands)
- Soren Kragh Andersen (Denmark)
- Lennard Kaemna (Germany)
- Michael Matthews (Australia)
- Nicholas Roche (Ireland)
 |
 |
UAE Team Emirates: Now it's up to Dan Martin
A few time trial kilometers and a really tough third week. Actually, the terrain of this year's Tour de France is made for Daniel Martin. The Irishman will know that himself, which is why he can finally dream of a tour podium. If the team management doesn't make a mistake, they give Dan Martin the sole captaincy. Whether Fabio Arau satisfied with that is questionable. The Italian came back from injury just in time and has not shown much in recent months. For him, the Tour of France will come too soon. If he can be harnessed as a noble helper, Martin can rely on a strong man at his side. If Aru is in good form, he can then safely go for a stage win in the high mountains. On mountainous terrain, Martin and Aru are mainly used by Rui Costa and Sergio Henao unterstützt.
Kristoff benefits from Gaviria cancellation
Four riders for the mountains and four riders for the flat stages. That's how you could describe the squad of the UAE Team Emirates. Because in addition to the four strong climbers, four drivers can actually be identified for the sprints. Due to the absence of top sprinter Fernando Gaviria, his approach driver alexander kristoff now move back to the first link. In addition to slightly more demanding sprint stages, Alexander Kristoff's strengths are above all the physically demanding sections. So once the first half of the tour is over, Kristoff just keeps getting stronger. His sprint will probably be approached by the 21-year-old Tour debutant Jasper Phillipsen. The Belgian is considered a huge sprinter talent. We will help him with the preparations Vegard stake lengths with a Sven Eric Bystrom two compatriots by Alexander Kristoff.
Tour de France Teams: The UAE Team Emirates squad
- Fabio Aru (Italy)
- Sven Erik Bystrom (Norway)
- Rui Costa (Portugal)
- Sergio Henao (Colombia)
- Alexander Kristoff (Norway)
- Vegard Stake Laengen (Norway)
- Daniel Martin (Ireland)
- Jasper Philipsen (Belgium)
 |
 |