The last rider who won LBL and the Giro in the same year was Danilo Di Luca in 2007. Tadej Pogacar will try to do the same. His strategy seems predictable: let the team work until La Redoute to set up a solo attack. Or he might wait until La Roche aux Faucons to drop his last companion. If necessary he can also win a small group sprint like three years ago.
The last French winner of La Doyenne is still Bernard Hinault in 1980 in wintry weather. Today's bad weather might inspire Grégoire, Madouas, Gaudu, Martin, Vauquelin, Cosnefroy or Bardet for a similar heroic act.
The last Belgian winner is Remco Evenepoel in 2023. It could have been an exciting duel, but it wasn't to be. Now Belgium is hoping for a stunt by Teuns, Van Gils or Vansevenant. Benoot could dedicate it to his new-born daughter Loes.
Other candidates? Pidcock or Williams can become the first British winner. Skjelmose can prove that a Dane can deal with the cold. MvdP can become the first rider since Eddy Merckx in 1975 to win three monuments in one year. Simon Yates, Vlasov, Bernal and Buitrago are elite climbers, but it would be a surprise if any of them could beat the Slovenian with the hair tufts.