Cycling: The Tour de France is the highlight of every road cycling season. All professionals want to be there. This time seven drivers from Germany made it, six from Austria and two from Switzerland. We take a closer look at the situations of the German-speaking drivers and wonder what tasks they will probably receive from their team bosses.
https://velomotion.de/2023/06/radsport-tour-de-france-2023-etappen-strecke/
Bora – hansgrohe provides four German speakers
The only German WorldTour team is also the only team in the Tour de France with a German license. But with Bora – hansgrohe, everything in this issue will revolve around an Australian: Jai Hindley. The team from Raubling will do everything to get Hindley onto the podium. And he deserves that trust, after all, he won the Giro d'Italia last season. Numerous first-class helpers gather around him, including two Austrians and two Germans. While Mark Haller and Nils Politt mainly on the flat for Hindley and for sprinter Jordi Meeus will be there, standing in the mountains Patrick Conrad and Emmanuel Buchman supporting to the side. And all of them can be trusted to go for a stage win themselves if they have a free ride. However, if Hindley is in good form, they have to put their own ambitions aside.
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With a free role: chances of stage wins?
We are particularly looking forward to this year Simon Geschke (Cofidis). Born in Berlin, he fought for the mountain jersey at the last Tour de France and wore it longer than any German before. It is quite possible that he would like to bring the jersey to Paris this year. If he gets the necessary freedom from his team, he will use it. The same applies to George Zimmerman (Intermarché – Circus – Wanty), who will definitely be seen in escape groups in the mountains and has made a decent development step forward this year. In terms of development, the same applies to the Austrian Felix Gall (AG2R - Citroën). At the Tour de Suisse, apart from the time trial, he even impressed as a strong climber and GC rider. Maybe he can even form a dual leadership with Ben O'Connor. This route of the Tour de France suits the Swiss less well Stefan Kung (Groupama – FDJ). The only time trial of this tour is probably too difficult for him. Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain – Victorious) can rely on his team-mate for support in the sprint Nickias Arndt (Bahrain – Victorious) and hope for a win in the bunch sprint.
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Loyal helpers from Austria, Germany and Switzerland
The Spanish team Movistar would like to compete with Enric Mas for overall victory. One of his most important helpers is the Austrian Gregor Muehlberger (Movistar), which has its strengths especially in the low mountain ranges. We will certainly see him once or twice in a break away group. his compatriot Felix Grossschartner (UAE) is unlikely to be given as much freedom as he is included in the squad alongside Tour favorite Tadej Pogacar. Michael Gogl (Alpecin – Deceuninck), on the other hand, could calculate something in breakaway groups if it gets a little wavy. If it stays flat, so will he and his teammate Sylvan Dillier (Alpecin – Deceuninck) from Switzerland had to work for sprinter Jasper Philipsen. John Degenkolb (DSM – Firmenich) at the age of 34 will probably no longer keep up in a mass sprint. But he is all the more valuable as an extended arm of the sports director. It can also be worth its weight in gold during a sprint approach. With Sam Welsford, the team has nominated a fast man who could ensure a surprising stage win.
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https://velomotion.de/2023/06/radsport-tour-de-france-vorschau-pogacar-vingegaard/