Cycling: In the third and final part of our preview, we look at all Tour de France teams with strong ranking riders. The teams Ineos, Movistar and Astana will be there, among others.
AG2R La Mondiale: Everyone rides for Bardet
Romain Bardet has finished in the top ten of the Tour de France every time for the past five years, even on the podium twice. He is rightly one of the favorites this season. Because the course is actually made for the French. There are only a few time trial kilometers and many difficult mountains. In addition, with Tom Dumoulin and Chris Froome, two strong drivers are missing. But the year 2019 has not been very convincing for Romain Bardet so far. In the AG2R La Mondiale team, everyone still drives for Bardet. The Swiss Matthew Frank With all his experience and his qualities in the high mountains, he can definitely be described as a noble helper. He is therefore not pursuing his own ambitions.
Even the stage hunt is not neglected
The AG2R La Mondiale team has always been known as a tight-knit group. Despite a clear hierarchy, it is not uncommon for the supposed helpers to get a chance. This can also be assumed this time. With Tony gallopin the team has a fast man in its own ranks who could sprint for the day's victory after a hilly stage. Will it be a little more difficult? Alexis Vuillermoz good chance of success. Classic specialists count on flat stages Oliver naesen to the candidates for a group. Also likes to be active in breakaway groups Alexis Gougeard, who prefers to try his luck on slightly hilly terrain. Mickael Cherel feels comfortable in the mountains and will be seen there as Romain Bardet's helper. We are particularly excited Benoit Cosnefroy. The 23 U2017 World Champion is now 23 years old and is taking part in a Grand Tour for the first time.
Tour de France teams: The AG2R La Mondiale squad
- Romain Bardet (France)
- Mickaël Cherel (France)
- Benoit Cosnefroy (France)
- Mathias Frank (Switzerland)
- Tony Gallopin (France)
- Alexis Gougeard (France)
- Oliver Naesen (Belgium)
- Alexis Vuillermoz (France)
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Astana: Fuglsang outshines them all
Also in 2019, Team Astana is one of the most successful teams on the WorldTour. Numerous victories were celebrated, on almost every terrain. particularly convincing Jakob Fuglsang. The Dane not only won the Critérium du Dauphiné preparatory tour, but also Liège – Bastogne – Liège. In this condition, he must be counted among the favorites in the fight for the yellow jersey. Accordingly, a strong team for the Tour de France was put together for him. Above all Gorka Izagirre, Luis Leon Sanchez, Omar Fraile and bilbao hair will stand by his side in the mountains. At the same time, they are also among the candidates for a stage win if the journey is free.
Astana will be aggressive as usual
Since it was founded, Team Astana has been aggressive in almost every race. The cyan-colored jerseys can often be seen in breakaway groups – often despite being the clear leader in the peloton. It will be the same at the 2019 Tour de France. The helpers mentioned above then serve as a relay station or as potential stage winners. It probably has the best chance of a successful escape Alexey Lutsenko. The Kazakh is known as a fighter and can be successful on both flat sections and mountain stages. Arguably one of the most underrated helpers in the entire peloton Magnus Cort Nielsen. The former sprinter - and still a very fast man - can now even do valuable work in the mountains. If Jakob Fuglsang does not convince, Magnus Cort Nielsen will also get a free ride. The line-up is completed by hugo houle, who falls behind a bit compared to his teammates and will compete in his first Tour de France.
Tour de France Teams: The Astana squad
- Pello Bilbao (Spain)
- Magnus Cort Nielsen (Denmark)
- Omar Fraile (Spain)
- Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark)
- Hugo Houle (Canada)
- Gorka Izagirre (Spain)
- Alexey Lutsenko (Kazakhstan)
- Luis Leon Sanchez (Spain)
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Bahrain – Merida: Nibali or Dennis?
Vincenzo Nibali After the Giro d'Italia, he also competes in the Tour de France. The now 34-year-old knew how to convince again in Italy. However, it is questionable whether he will be able to convince again in the very mountainous and, especially in the third week, demanding Tour of France. Although Vincenzo Nibali is known as a strong rider of the final week, he should actually have a hard time with the Giro in his legs. Bahrain – Merida sends the second captain Rohan Dennis into the race. The Australian finished second in the Tour de Suisse and was much stronger than before in the mountains. However, his problem is that there are only a few time trial kilometers in the 2019 Tour de France. With this heavy profile it would be rather surprising if he played a serious role in the general classification.
Strong drivers also in the second row
If neither Vincenzo Nibali nor Rohan Dennis are enough for a top ranking in Bahrain – Merida, the team does not have to lay down their arms. Damian Caruso has proven in the past that he is not only a loyal helper, but can also play a good role in breakaway groups. On hilly stages could Sonny Colbrelli even win a bunch sprint while Ivan Garcia it prefers going into a breakaway and then dominating the sprint there. Also Matej Mohoric Regarded as a fast-paced driver who is difficult to catch once he has his sights set on the goal. Dylan teuns is at home on hilly terrain and will not only provide help there, but will also walk in groups. Jan Tratnik on the other hand, is more important for the team time trial.
Tour de France teams: The Bahrain – Merida squad
- Damiano Caruso (Italy)
- Sonny Colbrelli (Italy)
- Rohan Dennis (Australia)
- Ivan Garcia (Spain)
- Matej Mohoric (Slovenia)
- Vincenzo Nibali (Italy)
- Dylan Teuns (Belgium)
- Jan Tratnik (Slovenia)
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Groupama – FDJ: 6 French and 2 Swiss
Thibaut Pinot leads the Groupama - FDJ 2019 team again in the Tour de France. Last year the Frenchman concentrated on the Giro d'Italia. Although he was in France in 2016 and 2017, he was unable to finish the tour. Now it's time to present the real Pinot - as he himself announced in the run-up to the nomination. The few kilometers on the time trial bike suit him well, although he will probably have to accept a severe setback in the team time trial. After all, he can in person Stefan Kung rely on a strong time trialist. The Swiss will also protect him from wind and weather on the flat. His countryman Sebastien Reichenbach however, will be there for his captain as usual in the mountains.
Gaudu should be able to drive to a stage win
In addition to the two Swiss riders and Thibaut Pinot, five other French riders were nominated for the Tour de France in the Groupama – FDJ team. They too are harnessed for their captain. This is particularly effective david gaudu be. The 22-year-old is particularly strong on hilly terrain. He may also develop into a real climber in the coming years. In order to win a stage, the team management should give David Gaudu a free ticket on one or the other stage. Also rudy molard will be in a break in the mountains. Anthony roux however, might as well Matthieu Ladagnous and William Bonnett more likely to be seen on the offensive on flatter sections with few challenging hills.
Tour de France teams: The squad of Groupama – FDJ
- William Bonnet (France)
- David Gaudu (France)
- Stefan Küng (Switzerland)
- Matthieu Ladagnous (France)
- Rudy Molard (France)
- Thibaut Pinot (France)
- Sebastien Reichenbach (Switzerland)
- Anthony Roux (France)
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Mitchelton - Scott: Attack of the Yates Brothers
Start after 2015 Simon yates and Adam Yates for the first time together again at the Tour de France. However, the roles should be clearly distributed. While Adam Yates is eyeing the general classification, Simon Yates will serve as his twin brother's noble assistant. After fourth place in 2016, the Brit is quite capable of something this year. With his active driving style, however, he has to rein himself in a bit, especially within the first two weeks, in order not to collapse in the third week - like his brother Simon in the Giro d'Italia the season before. Above all, the two of them are by their side in the mountains Jack Haig. The Australian has already proven several times that he is a loyal helper who can also score points in a breakaway group if necessary. All in all, the Mitchelton - Scott team is not particularly strong in the mountains behind these three professionals.
Many helpers with freedoms
Since the other five riders will not be able to support their captains very intensively in the mountains, they will probably be given some freedom on the flat stages. Above all will Matteo Trentin be in focus. The Italian sprinter should keep up with the mass sprints and at best ensure an early stage win. He can be trusted to do this, especially on slightly more demanding sections, in order to distance the faster men early on. Compared to Peter Sagan, Michael Matthews and Greg van Avermaet, Matteo Trentin is by no means weaker. Especially since he can rely on numerous helpers. Christopher Jul Jensen is just as excellent a pacemaker as the strong time trialists Luke Durbridge and Michael Hepburn. As a reliable approach driver Daryl Impey serve. If it gets a little too difficult for Matteo Trentin, he can even sprint for the stage win himself.
Tour de France teams: The line-up of Mitchelton – Scott
- Luke Durbridge (Australia)
- Jack Haig (Australia)
- Michael Hepburn (Australia)
- Daryl Impey (South Africa)
- Christopher Juul Jensen (Denmark)
- Matteo Trentino (Italy)
- Adam Yates (UK)
- Simon Yates (Great Britain)
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Movistar: A three-pointer against Ineos
While the Ineos team can still rely on two leaders after Chris Froome's fall, the Movistar team will start the Tour de France with a top three. As captain, the team management and the drivers themselves Nairo Quintana called. Nevertheless, world champions are allowed Alejandro Valverde and his Spanish compatriot Mikel Landa not to be underestimated. The few time trial kilometers benefit all three. The mountain air in the last week of the Tour de France should be mainly Nairo Quintana. Still, there are big question marks over its form. For about two years, the Colombian has not really been able to build on his top form. He presents himself far too little aggressively and offensively. Movistar could now really play the top three down to the last detail.
Soler could come as a surprise
Should the triumvirate of Movistar be taken too seriously by the competition, the Spanish team could even fall back on a fourth option. Marc Soler has continued to develop over the past few years and already has the potential to make it into the top ten on a Grand Tour. Especially tactically, he could become a real joker if the rival teams let him go and he opens up a lot of opportunities to Movistar. If this does not succeed, he is at least a real asset to the team as a noble helper. As well as the experienced Andrew Amador, which also plays an important role in the time trial. The line-up is completed by Imanol Erviti, Nelson Oliveira and Carlos Verona, all of whom have to play their role as helpers before the crucial climbs.
Tour de France teams: The Movistar squad
- Andrey Amador (Costa Rica)
- Imanol Erviti (Spain)
- Mikel Landa (Spain)
- Nelson Oliveira (Portugal)
- Nairo Quintana (Colombia)
- Marc Soler (Spain)
- Alejandro Valverde (Spain)
- Carlos Verona (Spain)
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Ineos: Thomas & Bernal are the favourites
It's crazy. Even without the fallen Chris Froome, Team Ineos has the two top favorites for the Tour de France 2019. Last year's winner Geraint Thomas wants to win his second Grand Tour victory and win the Tour of France again in the absence of the actual captain. According to all experts and betting providers, so to speak, he has to fear the competition in his own team when defending his title. Egan Bernal is now regarded as the best mountaineer in the world. At just 21, the Colombian won the Tour de Suisse a few weeks ago, while Geraint Thomas had to recover from a fall on the same tour. So if Geraint Thomas is not in shape after Chris Froome's failure, Egan Bernal is simply the next Ineos professional on the mat. Internal team quarrels and disagreements don't really seem to be imaginable.
This team just towers above everything - even without Froome
The Ineos team will probably be in no way inferior to the dreaded Sky Train of recent years. Mountain stages are again to be expected, which will be controlled by the British team with an even and high pace. This is also possible in the high mountains with several people. Wout poels is just like Michal Kwiatkowski able to keep up the pace over several Alpine and Pyrenean passes. It is therefore difficult for dangerous drivers to break away from the group of favourites. The controversial Italian is still clearly underestimated on medium to difficult stages Gianni Moscon, the tall one Dylan van baarle and the strong time trialists Luke Rowe and Jonathan Castroviejo. Due to the already existing strength in the mountains, they will still be used primarily on the flat and hilly terrain and will clearly subordinate themselves to the hierarchy.
Tour de France teams: The squad of Ineos
- Egan Bernal (Colombia)
- Jonathan Castroviejo (Spain)
- Michal Kwiatkowski (Poland)
- Gianni Moscon (Italy)
- Wout Poels (Netherlands)
- Luke Rowe (UK)
- Geraint Thomas (UK)
- Dylan van Baarle (Netherlands)
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Trek – Segafredo: Now Porte has to deliver
"Now or never" one has to Richie porte said on stage in Brussels during the team presentation. As bitter as that sounds, that's probably the truth. The now 34-year-old is driving his 14th Grand Tour, but – unbelievable as it is – he has never made it onto the podium of a major national tour. While he has cleared almost everything in one-week tours in recent years, the likeable Australian is simply not consistent enough over three weeks. How high his own share of the blame for his numerous falls can only be guessed at. But he is already considered the unlucky fellow of our cycling generation. Also this year, many experts no longer have him on the list, because it is expected that Richie Porte will not arrive in Paris anyway. After all, he only finished three of his last six major national tours. With the exception of the 2016 Tour de France, he always had at least one very bad day.
All subordinate themselves to the goal of the yellow jersey
Since Richie Porte, despite his quality, is by no means a guarantee for a top placement, it is surprising that the Trek – Segafredo team management is putting everything on the Porte card. Because you want to concentrate fully on the yellow jersey, John Degenkolb - after all, stage winner last year - was not nominated for the Tour de France 2019. Instead you bet Julius Ciccone and Build Mollema to two true noble helpers who should not leave Richie Porte's side in the high mountains for as long as possible. Before it gets really steep in the mountains Julien Bernard, Koen de Kort, Toms Skujins and Jasper stuyven provide the necessary support. For a stage win on hilly terrain could Fabio Fellina in the sprint of a small peloton. But the entire squad has what it takes for a long and successful escape via a breakaway group.
Tour de France teams: The Trek – Segafredo squad
- Julien Bernard (France)
- Giulio Ciccone (Italy)
- Koen de Kort (Netherlands)
- Fabio Felline (Italy)
- Bauke Mollema (Netherlands)
- Richie Porte (Australia)
- Toms Skujins (Latvia
- Jasper Stuyven (Belgium)
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