Cycling: The 106th Giro d'Italia starts on Saturday. Again 22 teams will start, but not all of them will reach their goals. We look at all teams, every driver and analyze the possible tasks and goals. The four-part series begins with the teams of the top drivers.
Soudal – Quick Step
If we take stock of the past 5 or even 10 years, one team in road cycling is enthroned at the top: Quick-Step! Not always with the same name, but with the same team management. Patrick Lefevere always has his team under control. But this season it doesn't want to go quite as well as usual. This may also be due to the fact that the focus has been shifted significantly. More and more away from the pure classic team, towards a team for tours. Reason for this is a man: Remco Evenepoel. The Belgian won the Vuelta a Espana last year and is considered to be this year Favourite positive Giro d'Italia. But some critics doubt that he will have a strong team at his side in the high mountains. The Italians are most likely to be able to do this work Mattia Cattaneo, the Czech Jan Hirt and the Belgian Pieter Serry perform. But it's true: an outstanding team of climbers looks different. With David Ballerini from Italy you even have someone with you who could be successful in a sprint. The strong Czech time trialist Josef cerny and the Belgian Louis Vervaeke can be described as all-rounders. And the personality is very exciting Ilan van Wilder. The Belgian is strong when the terrain gets hilly and is even explosive enough to be able to win stages out of larger groups. Still, the Wolfpack - as the fans call the team - will be all about Remco Evenepoel. His success is the success of the team.
Jumbo–Visma
Being a three-time winner of the Vuelta a Espana also counts Primois Roglic one of the big favorites of this year's Giro d'Italia. The Slovenian ex-ski jumper would have had a brutally strong team at his side. But due to corona infections, Robert Gesink and Tobias Foss had to cancel their start in Italy at short notice. Jump for them Rohan Dennis and Jose van Emden but no amateurs either. While the Dutch tend to provide support on the flat, the Australian is a real help in the high mountains. The same goes for the Dutchman Koen Bouwmann and especially for the American Sep kiss. He can be described as a real noble helper, because he himself would have what it takes to make it into the top five on a Grand Tour. Also Jan Tratnik from the Czech Republic should not be underestimated. Most recently, he also impressed with strong performances in the mountains. The Italian Edward Affini is considered a strong time trialist. He will try to win a stage against the clock but otherwise be there for his captain Primoz Roglic on the flat. As well Michel Hessmann. The German is riding his first Grand Tour, will gain experience and support the Slovenian as much as possible.
Ineos Grenadiers
Probably the strongest team in the mountains will be Ineos Grenadiers. About the British captain Geraint Thomas - after all, third place in the Tour de France last year - numerous top climbers are flocking together. At first this is fine Tao Geoghegan Hart to call. The Brit recently won the Tour of the Alps. At the Tour of Italy he secured the overall victory for himself in 2020. The Frenchman Pavel Shivakov would also have what it takes for the top five of a Grand Tour, but is probably only number three in the team's ranking. And the Dutchman Thyman Arensman was sixth in the Vuelta a Espana last year. He is also one of the best climbers in the world and will actively support Geraint Thomas. The line-up of climbers is completed by the Belgian Laurens DePlus. This makes Ineos Grenadiers so strong in the high mountains that you could play several cards at the same time and in certain situations you don't necessarily have to commit to a captain. But Ineos Grenadiers also knows how to shine on the flat. With the Italian Filippo Gana you have what is probably the strongest time trialist in the world in your own ranks. If there is a mass sprint, it could Ben Swift from Great Britain trying his luck. He is supported by the Italian Salvatore Puccio. However, the main focus of the team is on the mountains and the general classification.
Bora-hansgrohe
The German team Bora – hansgrohe will tackle the Giro d'Italia 2023 with an exciting project. Because defending champion Jai Hindley is contesting the Tour de France this year and will therefore not be at the start in Italy. With the Russian Alexander Vlasov one would now like to try to at least reach the podium again. However, since he has recently been struggling with health problems again and again, this project seems to be on shaky ground. It is all the more important that the Raublinger racing team can rely on a co-captain. Lennard Kamna will try for the first time in his career at a Grand Tour to look at the overall standings. He recently proved that the German has what it takes at the Tour of the Alps and Tirreno – Adriatico. Instead of chasing stages, the priority now is to conserve energy. In the high mountains, Vlasov and Kämna are largely derived from the Austrian Patrick Conrad supports. But also the Luxembourger Bob Jungels, the Germans Anton Palzer and Nico Denz, as well as the Italians Caesar Benedetti and Giovanni Aleotti have their strengths when the roads rise at least slightly. All in all, Bora - hansgrohe relies on a harmonious, balanced group that could switch focus from the overall classification to the stage hunt at any time.
UAE
The UAE Team Emirates flies completely under the radar – at least at the Giro d'Italia. If we take a closer look at the squad, we realize that we should not underestimate this squad. With Joao almeida from Portugal, the team has a top ranking driver and with Pascal Ackermann one has also nominated a strong sprinter. You have the German with you Ryan Gibbons from South Africa at least provided a helper or driver to the side. The rest of the squad will show up more in the mountains and be there for Joao Almeida. It should be known to most fans Brandon McNulty. The American has been one of Tadej Pogacar's most important helpers in the Tour de France for the past two years. But the most exciting personality of the team is Jay Vine. The Australian won the Tour Down Under that year. At last year's Giro d'Italia he made his breakthrough with two stage wins. He could become the most important helper. The three Italians Diego Ulissi and Davide Formolo and Alessandro Covi complete the team. Above all, they bring experience and knowledge of the route, but also strong legs for the mountains.
Bahrain–Victorious
As in previous years, Team Bahrain – Victorious will send a strong climbing group to the start in 2023. With the Italian Damian Caruso, the Colombian Santiago Buitrago, the Australian Jack Haig and the Swiss Gino Mader you have four extremely strong climbers at your disposal. Together they will try to play a role in the general classification for as long as possible. It won't be known until late which of them will be the strongest - and that's what we'll be driving for in the last week. The Italian Edoardo Zambanini is also strong when the roads rise. The 22-year-old is still a long way from the quality of his four colleagues. The squad of Bahrain - Victorious complete the German Jasha Sutterlin and the two Italians jonathan milan and Andrea Pasqualon. The latter two drivers are considered good sprinters. Presumably Pasqualon will attract the mass sprints for Milan - supported by Sütterlin.
