Cycling: In the second part of our team presentation for the Giro d'Italia 2021 we have everything with us: sprinters, class riders & climbers. What is the strategy of the German team Bora – hansgrohe?
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Click here for the Giro team presentation part #3
Click here for the Giro team presentation part #4
Bardiani – CSF – Faizanè
The strongest wildcard team in the Giro
The Bardiani – CSF team has been a real force in road cycling for years. Even if the Italian team is still not part of the WorldTour, they regularly stir up Italian one-day races and tours. With an offensive driving style, this can now also be expected at the Giro d'Italia 2021. Enter the race as captain Giovanni Visconti. At 38, he is one of the most experienced professionals in the field. He has already ridden the Giro 11 times, winning two stages and the mountain classification in 2015. He may also be eyeing the blue jersey for the best climber this year. In addition, Bardiani – CSF in the person of Enrico Battaglin a fast-moving man in their own ranks. If it gets a little wavy, the best sprinters will drop out of the peloton – but Battaglin is still there. Then a stage win by the 31-year-old is possible. The team will probably not go for a good position in the overall classification, but with Giovanni Carboni have at least one professional in the team who could also go in a group on undulating terrain. In mass sprints, Bardiani – CSF can rely on several professionals. Probably will Filippo Fiorelli but have the best cards.
Bardiani - CSF - Faizanè at the Giro d'Italia 2021
61) Giovanni Visconti
62) Enrico Battaglin
63) Giovanni Carboni
64) Filippo Fiorelli
65) Davide Gabburo
66) Umberto Marengo
67) Filippo Zana
68) Samuele Zoccarato
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Bora-hansgrohe
Two tracks again
Once again, the German racing team Bora – hansgrohe is driving on two tracks in a Grand Tour. With Peter Sagan one hopes for stage victories. The Slovak is supported by Maciej Bodnar and Daniel Oss. The rest of the crew should look around Emmanuel Buchman take care of. At the Giro d'Italia 2021, the German can fight for a podium place. With Matteo Fabbro he got a strong climber at his side. Also Felix Grossschartner is a help when going uphill. Caesar Benedetti also has its strengths in the mountains, but has shown less form in recent months. It is questionable whether the Italian can really be of help when things get serious. Greater hopes rest there already Giovanni Aleotti. The only 21-year-old Italian is riding his first WorldTour season and is the big unknown in the squad. However, based on his past results, we think he might surprise. It is quite possible that in the end he will be the last man at Buchmann's side alongside Großschartner and Fabbro.
The squad from Bora - hansgrohe at the Giro d'Italia 2021
71) Peter Sagan
72) Giovanni Aleotti
73) Cesare Benedetti
74) Maciej Bodnar
75) Emanuel Buchman
76) Matteo Fabbro
77) Felix Grossschartner
78) Daniel Oss
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Cofidis
Disappointment inevitable
The French team Cofidis has no ambitions in the overall standings at the Giro d'Italia. It's all about stage victories, even one in number would be a bit of a surprise. With Elia Viviani you have a former top sprinter in your own ranks. The Italian, however, has rarely impressed since his move. For him will Fabio Sabatini approach A victory in the mass sprint seems unlikely due to the strong competition. There might even be better chances Simone Consonni. The Italian is significantly stronger than his compatriot on hilly terrain and can therefore win sprints out of a depleted field. His problem: There he will probably always have to deal with Peter Sagan. The rest of the Cofidis squad must seek salvation on the offensive. Nicholas Edett should have already picked out two or three mountain stages for a breakaway attempt.
The 8 Giro starters for Cofidis
81) Elijah Viviani
82) Natnael Berhane
83) Simone Consonni
84) Nicolas Edet
85) Victor Lafay
86) Remy Rochas
87) Fabio Sabatini
88) Attillo Viviani
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Deceuninck—Quick Step
The wolf pack without sprinters
The Deceuninck – Quick-Step team alone will ensure an attractive, exciting and interesting Giro d'Italia 2021. The wolf pack competes without real sprinters, but with numerous top riders who can fight for stage wins almost every day. The most interesting personality is certainly Remco Evenepoel.t The only 21-year-old Belgian rode his first professional year last season – and what a season. He won four tours right away and drove the established competition to the ground in rows. Many experts see him as the best professional cyclist of his generation. The fans call him "the new Eddy Merckx". However, since his crash at the Tour of Lombardy in August 2020, he has not driven a single race. So we don't know at all what condition he will be in for his first Grand Tour. If he's not in shape, he will Joao Almeidat be the man for the standings. The Portuguese has already proven himself a contender for a Grand Tour podium. They are supported by the mountaineers James Knox, Fausto Masnadat and Pieter Serry.t Needless to say, each of them also has the skills to win a stage themselves. Iljo Keisse, Mikkel Honoret and Remi Cavagnat feel more comfortable on the flat. The latter in particular is a prime candidate for a time trial win.
The wolf pack of the Giro d'Italia 2021
91) Remco Evenepoel
92) Joao Almeida
93) Remi Cavagna
94) Mikel Honore
95) Ilyo Keisse
96) James Knox
97) Fausto Masnada
98) Pieter Serry
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EF—Nippo
No longer an outsider
The EF – Nippo team has secretly developed into a top team over the past two years. With young, aggressive and very talented professionals, the team has steadily improved. In the meantime, the entire group is no longer just considered cool, but also damn strong. flagship at the Giro d'Italia Hugh Carthy be. The Briton is one of the best climbers in the field and therefore one of the top favorites for overall victory. Him will be in the high mountains Jonathan Caicedo, Simon Carr, and Tejay van Garderen and Ruben guerreiro help. We should remember the latter in particular, because under certain circumstances the Portuguese can also walk in groups, win stages or compete for the mountain jersey. Alberto Bettiol and Jens Keukeleire are fast and hope to win stages on flat or slightly undulating terrain.
The 8 starters from EF – Nippo
101) Hugh Carthy
102) Alberto Bettiol
103) Jonathan Caicedo
104) Simon Carr
105) Ruben Guerreiro
106) Jens Keukeleire
107) Julius van den Berg
108) Tejay van Garderen
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EOLO—Comet
Active in breakaway groups
Probably the most unknown professionals at this year's Giro d'Italia ride for the EOLO – Kometa team. Only Francesco Gavazzi should be familiar to most. The 36-year-old Italian has already ridden a Grand Tour 8 times and even won a stage at the Vuelta a Espana. Despite his age, he is still fast and can climb easy mountains quite well. So if it gets a little wavy and the peloton is small, we'll see him in the sprint. If it stays flat, EOLO - Kometa builds safely on the double leadership Vincenzo Albanese and Manuel Belletti. Both can come in at the front in a mass sprint, but they probably don't have a chance of winning the day in this competition. The rest of the troupe will support the three mentioned or be allowed to try something themselves. Since you are not one of the favorites on any stage, we can probably see the colors of EOLO - Kometa every day in the escape group.
The EOLO Giro line-up – Kometa
111) Vincenzo Albanese
112) Manuel Belletti
113) Mark Christian
114) Marton Dina
115) Lorenzo Fortunato
116) Francesco Gavazzi
117) Edward Ravasi
118) Samuele Rivi
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