Cycling: A total of 18 riders from Germany, Austria and Switzerland are at the start of the Giro d'Italia 2024. There are winning riders, helpers and possible GC captains. We look at the tasks and goals of German-speaking drivers.
What can Florian Lipowitz achieve?
It was an impressive performance as Florian Lipowitz (Bora – hansgrohe) climbed onto the podium at the Tour de Romandie and had previously almost won a stage in the high mountains. We haven't been able to experience such a performance from a German-speaking professional for a long time. Therefore, many fans are now asking themselves whether the 23-year-old will also set his sights on the overall ranking at the Giro d'Italia. Even if there is great hope and longing to finally have a strong class driver from Germany again, we have to put the brakes on the euphoria here. The captain of Bora – hansgrohe is the Colombian Daniel Martinez. It is important to support him in the mountains. But if Lipowitz sticks with it, he could have his chance, at least for a stage win or the mountain jersey. teammate Maximilian schachmann (Bora – hansgrohe) will have similar tasks to complete. However, since he has been in top form for some time now, we shouldn't expect too much from him. The Austrian also has to provide help in the high mountains Felix Grossschartner (UAE) for top favorite Tadej Pogacar. Based on the nominations, he is probably the most important man at the Slovenian's side. Significantly more freedom is allowed Simon Geschke (Cofidis) and George Steinhauser (EF Education – EasyPost). We will probably see them in escape groups in the mountains from time to time.
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Our top sprinters are called Bauhaus & Kanter
As in previous years, the strengths of the German riders lie more in the flat and thus in the sprint. Max Kanter (Astana) and Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain – Victorious) are likely to receive full support for mass sprints in their teams and are therefore real candidates for a daily victory on flat stages. Bauhaus is supported by, among others Jasha Sutterlin (Bahrain – Victorious) and Rainer Kepplinger (Bahrain – Victorious) put into position. In the Swiss competition Tudor, they probably drive for the Italian Alberto Dainese in the sprint finishes. Here we see the Swiss in the role of helper Robin Froidevaux (Tudor) and the Germans Alexander Krieger (Tudor) and Florian Stork (Tudor). If it gets a little too wavy for Dainese, the Men in Black could also do it Marius Mayrhofer (Tudor) drive.
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Loyal helpers in sprint preparation
However, it won't be easy for Phil Bauhaus and Max Kanter in the mass sprints, because the competition among the sprinters is enormous at the Giro d'Italia 2024. Among others, Tim Merlier (Soudal - Quick-Step), Olav Kooij (Visma - Lease a Bike) and Kaden Groves (Alpecin - Deceuninck) and absolute world-class sprinters are at the start. The last mentioned is even used by the Austrians Tobias Bayer (Alpecin – Deceuninck) supported in the stage hunt. Danny van Poppel (Bora – hansgrohe) can rely on the help of Jonah Koch (Bora – hansgrohe) from Germany and the Austrian Patrick Gamper (Bora – hansgrohe). The Swiss Fabian Lienhard (Groupama – FDJ) pedals for the Australian Laurance Pithie (Groupama – FDJ) and Germany Max Walscheid (Jayco – AlUla) will support Caleb Ewan (Jayco – AlUla) in getting back into top shape.
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