Cycling: 23 teams and a total of 184 riders will tackle the 2021 Tour de France. In the second part of our preview, we look at eight other teams and speculate about their goals and chances of success.
Bahrain – Victorious: Will the winning streak continue?
In the 2021 season, the Bahrain – Victorious team can certainly be described as a surprise. 16 victories and 23 further podium places show that numerous successes have already been achieved. At the Tour de France 2021 this winning streak should now be continued. However, the team's strategy is not entirely clear. With Pello Bilbao they have nominated a strong classification driver, but the Spaniard has already driven the Giro d'Italia. Wout Poels could therefore step in for him. However, the Dutchman has often taken part in a Grand Tour as captain and has rarely been able to live up to the expectations placed in him. So maybe once again only the hunt for stage wins remains. With Sonny Colbrelli you have the right man in the squad. The Italian is strong in sprinting and can also survive hilly sections unscathed. Jack Haig, Dylan Teuns and Matej Mohoric are made for a long, up-and-down escape.
- bilbao hair
- Sonny Colbrelli
- Jack Haig
- Dylan teuns
- Wout poels
- Matej Mohoric
- Mark Haller
- Fred Wright
AG2R - Citroen: Every day on stage hunt
The Tour de France is particularly important for a French team. After a few departures in the previous year, the team AG2R - Citroen has to bake smaller rolls. It's unlikely they'll play a major role in the overall standings, even if Ben O'Connor, Benoit Cosnefroy and Nans Peters have their strengths uphill. They're too weak in time trials and far too often in the past they haven't been consistent enough. So they probably only have the option of seeking their salvation on the offensive. Aurélien Paret-Peintre could also be an interesting man in this regard. The 25-year-old Frenchman is a strong climber and could be one of the biggest surprises of the 2021 Tour de France. Greg van Avermaet's success would come less out of nowhere. But the reigning Olympic champion is now 36 and has definitely lost his final speed.
- Benoit Cosnefroy
- greg van avermaet
- Aurelien Paret Peintre
- Ben O'Connor
- Nan's Peters
- Oliver naesen
- Michael Schar
- Dorian Godon
Movistar: three or four at the top?
In recent years, the Spanish team Movistar has repeatedly made tactical mistakes. Especially with the strategy of the top three, there was little success - apart from the team ranking. Now Movistar can show that they have learned from experience. Because the line-up for the Tour de France 2021 again includes four strong class riders. Can the sporting management decide on a captain, or will they act again with a three-man or this time even a four-man leadership? The most promising candidate is certainly Miguel Angel Lopez. The Colombian has what it takes to be a tour winner. His weakness is the time trial and that applies to almost every driver on this team. Enric Mas and Marc Soler are also strong in the mountains, but sometimes have serious deficits in the fight against the clock. For Alejandro Valverde, the gap wasn't quite as bad in his prime, but the now 41-year-old's prime is simply over. Of course, all four are possible for stage victories. Carlos Verona, Imanol Erviti and Jorge Arcas will play in the background. The strong sprinter Spaniard Ivan Carcia Cortina could go in groups.
- Alejandro Valverde
- Charles Verona
- Enric Mas Nicolau
- Imanol Erviti
- Ivan García Cortina
- Jorge Arcas
- Marc Soler
- Miguel Angel Lopez
Bora – hansgrohe: Sagan, Kelderman & Buchmann
The German team Bora – hansgrohe will contest the Tour de France without Pascal Ackermann. Instead of the classic sprinter, the Raublinger racing team once again relies on Peter Sagan. The three-time world champion should win the green jersey for the eighth time and at best shoot one or the other stage. He is supported by Daniel Oss, Lukas Pöstlberger and Nils Politt, who all have their strengths on the level and can not only force a sprint, but also prepare it accordingly. Wilco Kelderman was appointed captain for the general classification months ago. Now the Dutchman has had competition in his own squad. After retiring from the Giro due to a crash, Emanuel Buchmann is now driving the Tour de France. According to his own statements, however, he will only go hunting for stages and support captain Wilco Kelderman. Together with Patrick Konrad and Ide Schelling, Bora - hansgrohe has a strong climbing team. The last-named Dutchman could also come as a surprise. Ide Schelling showed what he can do several times in the spring.
- Daniel Oss
- Lukas Postlberger
- Ide Schelling
- wilco kelderman
- Peter Sagan
- Nils Politt
- Emmanuel Buchman
- Patrick Conrad
Lotto – Soudal: After the Giro, Ewan also wants Tour stage wins
Caleb Ewan has formulated an interesting goal for this season. He wants to win stages in all three major national tours. He has already achieved this at the Giro d'Italia. Now his team is doing everything to enable him to win at least one stage in the Tour de France. And the chances are good because he is definitely the fastest sprinter after Sam Bennett's cancellation. As usual, Jasper de Buyst and Roger Kluge will be at his side as drivers. Lotto - Soudal can probably control a breakaway group on the flat with this squad all by himself. Because Tosh van der Sande, Brent van Moer, Harry Sweeny, Philippe Gilbert and Thomas De Gendt know their craft. The last two Belgians in particular will also be allowed to drive on their own account. For Philippe Gilbert and Thomas De Gendt there are some attractive parts of this year's Tour de France. If a mass sprint and thus a stage win by Caleb Ewan is impossible, we will usually see a Lotto – Soudal rider in the breakaway group.
- Caleb ewan
- Jasper de Buyst
- Tosh van der Sande
- thomas degendt
- Roger Kluge
- Philip Gilbert
- Harry Sweeny
- Brent van Moer
Deceuninck - Quick-Step: Cavendish chases Merckx
Marc Cavendish contested his last Tour de France in 2018. In 2016 he was last successful in the Tour of France. Now the Brit is returning. Due to the absence of Sam Bennett, the Deceuninck - Quick-Step team is now surprisingly relying on the old master. The now 36-year-old will be chasing Eddy Merckx's record at the Tour de France. The Belgian won the most in Grand Boucle history with 34 stages. In second place is just that Mark Cavendish with 30 daily wins. Can the Brit punish all critics with lies and still open up? Even a single stage success would be a small sensation in view of the past few years. Accordingly, the Belgian team doesn't focus everything on this one goal. Finally, with Julian Alaphilippe, you still have a man for the general classification. In addition, Davide Ballerini can step in in the sprints if Mark Cavendish is not fast enough. Kasper Asgreen and Tim Declercq will chase the breakaways accordingly, should they not be among them themselves. And with Michael Morkov, the wolf pack already has the best sprint starter in its own ranks. Mattia Cattaneo could become the surprise of the Tour de France. The Italian has recently presented himself in much better shape - not only in the time trial.
- Julian Alaphilippe
- Kasper Asgreen
- David Ballerini
- Mattia Cattaneo
- Mark Cavendish
- Tim Declercq
- Dries Deveynns
- Michael Morkov
EF – Nippo: The potential to surprise is there
Actually, up until a month ago we would have written that the EF - Nippo team would only be out hunting stages at the 2021 Tour de France. But Rigoberto Uran's strong Tour de Suisse completely changes the objective. Now you have one of the favorites for overall victory in your own ranks and you want to at least get him onto the podium. If Rigoberto Uran can live up to expectations, he will have the full support of his teammates. If not, everyone at EF - Nippo is allowed to drive on their own account. There is a particularly interesting man in the squad in Sergio Higuita. The Colombian is only 23 years old, strong in mountains and strong in sprints. It's made for a stage win on a medium to difficult section. The Swiss Stefan Bissegger can win the time trials. And the Dane Magnus Cort is a sprinter who can handle a few hills before the home stretch quite well. Neilson Powsless and Ruben Guerreiro would be candidates for the mountain jersey, but will primarily be helping Rigoberto Uran in the high mountains. From a German point of view, we can be excited about Jonasrutsch. The 23-year-old is almost 2 meters tall, but it's not just his impressive physique that makes him stand out. You can definitely count on the classic specialist in groups on flat stages or slightly wavy sections.
- Sergio Higuita
- Rigoberto Urán
- Magnus Court
- Neilson Powless
- Stephen Bissegger
- Michael Valgren
- Ruben guerreiro
- Jonas slip
Groupama – FDJ: Everything for Démare & Gaudu
Without the injured Thibaut Pinot, the Groupama – FDJ team will take part in this year's Tour de France. Last year, the fans had to do without Arnaud Démare, because it was precisely that Pinot who drove the yellow jersey wholeheartedly. Now the strategy looks completely different. On flat stages, everything will be done to pilot Arnaud Démare to one or even several stage victories. Because the chances are not bad after Sam Bennett canceled his participation. Next to Caleb Ewan, the Frenchman is likely to be the fastest man in the field. He is mainly supported by Jacopo Guarnieri, Ignatas Konovalovas and Miles Scotson. The Swiss Stefan Küng is hoping for a good placement in the time trials and will certainly position himself in a breakaway group from time to time. If it gets more challenging, we see Valentin Madouas fleeing. David Gaudu could squint at the overall ranking. The Frenchman is even a candidate for the white jersey if the Tour de France is good.
- Bruno Armirail
- Arnaud Demare
- david gaudu
- Jacopo Guarnieri
- Ignatas Konovalovas
- Stefan Kung
- Valentin Madouas
- Miles Scotson
