Not even June yet, but its never to soon to speculate on selections, shape, tactics etc. on the biggest bike race that lets us down year after year, yet we are coming crawling back. Soon Dauphine will kick off, then Suisse, NCs and we are suddenly in July.
I can't remember the last time that all of the best riders are scheduled to participate. Only some of the 2nd tier Giro GC-contenders arent riding (Chaves, Lopez, Pozzo etc.) along with a few sprinters that doesnt really change anything. All of the best puncheurs will be there as well. Sky is probably throwing a curveball and bringing Egan, Movistar will also bring Soler, both of whom could prove vital for the race.
The route looks fine, too much flat in the start, but it is what it is. A lot better than last year at least. The route can be found here:
https://www.la-flamme-rouge.eu/road-races/tdf-2018-official-profiles-t7118.html
For a bit of hype of Romme and Colombiere, the first stage in the Alps:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9k-8XNcJsDk
Always an interesting time of the year. Lets see how Nibz, Zakarin, Thomaas, Yates, Martin etc. will fare in Dauphine, but the spotligt will be in Suisse this year with Porte, Movistar x3 and Sagan as the biggests stars.
Can Froome make the double? Is Movistar imploding? Will Porte finally break through? Is Nibali over the hill? Will UAE continue their horrible season? And can Bernal actually play a role already now? Many questions that will be answered and I look forward to the race and everything that follows as usual.
We could try to gather the biggest teams in the OP.
Sky: Froome, Poels, Thomas, Kwito, Moscon
Movistar: Valv, Quintana, Landa
Bahrain: Nibali, Ion, Gorka, Pozzo
BMC: Porte, TJ, GVA, Caruso
Ag2R: Bardet, Frank, Latour, Naesen
QS: Gaviria, Jungels, Alaphippe
I can't remember the last time that all of the best riders are scheduled to participate. Only some of the 2nd tier Giro GC-contenders arent riding (Chaves, Lopez, Pozzo etc.) along with a few sprinters that doesnt really change anything. All of the best puncheurs will be there as well. Sky is probably throwing a curveball and bringing Egan, Movistar will also bring Soler, both of whom could prove vital for the race.
The route looks fine, too much flat in the start, but it is what it is. A lot better than last year at least. The route can be found here:
https://www.la-flamme-rouge.eu/road-races/tdf-2018-official-profiles-t7118.html
For a bit of hype of Romme and Colombiere, the first stage in the Alps:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9k-8XNcJsDk
Always an interesting time of the year. Lets see how Nibz, Zakarin, Thomaas, Yates, Martin etc. will fare in Dauphine, but the spotligt will be in Suisse this year with Porte, Movistar x3 and Sagan as the biggests stars.
Can Froome make the double? Is Movistar imploding? Will Porte finally break through? Is Nibali over the hill? Will UAE continue their horrible season? And can Bernal actually play a role already now? Many questions that will be answered and I look forward to the race and everything that follows as usual.
We could try to gather the biggest teams in the OP.
Sky: Froome, Poels, Thomas, Kwito, Moscon
Movistar: Valv, Quintana, Landa
Bahrain: Nibali, Ion, Gorka, Pozzo
BMC: Porte, TJ, GVA, Caruso
Ag2R: Bardet, Frank, Latour, Naesen
QS: Gaviria, Jungels, Alaphippe