{"id":64319,"date":"2024-06-07T15:14:20","date_gmt":"2024-06-07T13:14:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/?post_type=purple_issue&#038;p=64319"},"modified":"2024-06-07T18:17:17","modified_gmt":"2024-06-07T16:17:17","slug":"teams-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/2024\/06\/07\/teams-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Teams"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center\">Tour de France 2024<br><span style=\"color:#fcc927\" class=\"has-inline-color\">Teams<\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center sans-serif author\"><strong>Words <\/strong>John Whitney<\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<div class=\"no-tts wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"no-tts aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"914\" height=\"1371\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/06\/2ca3465d-f43b-429a-a91f-402e6e0c0ea7-edited.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-65417\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/06\/2ca3465d-f43b-429a-a91f-402e6e0c0ea7-edited.jpg 914w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/06\/2ca3465d-f43b-429a-a91f-402e6e0c0ea7-edited-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/06\/2ca3465d-f43b-429a-a91f-402e6e0c0ea7-edited-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/06\/2ca3465d-f43b-429a-a91f-402e6e0c0ea7-edited-768x1152.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 914px) 100vw, 914px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<p><br><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/c326a7fd-8c59-4530-be77-a4f06c7dbdeb.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64766\" width=\"256\" height=\"462\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/c326a7fd-8c59-4530-be77-a4f06c7dbdeb.jpg 511w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/c326a7fd-8c59-4530-be77-a4f06c7dbdeb-166x300.jpg 166w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 256px) 100vw, 256px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><strong>At time of <\/strong>writing it isn\u2019t certain that star rider Mathieu van der Poel will be in Alpecin\u2019s Tour team. If he decides to ride XC mountain bike at the Paris Olympics he won\u2019t, and if he doesn\u2019t, he will. Regardless, he\u2019s had mixed fortunes at the French race and was thoroughly off-colour and overworked last July, a race in which sprinter Jasper Philipsen won four stages, the green jersey and the status as the world\u2019s fastest rider. Van der Poel operates as the most luxurious lead-out man ever for Philipsen, so his absence will be keenly felt if he\u2019s not there. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image photo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/5573172b-3802-4153-8bd1-6ef6286f38b0.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64767\" width=\"260\" height=\"260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/5573172b-3802-4153-8bd1-6ef6286f38b0.jpg 346w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/5573172b-3802-4153-8bd1-6ef6286f38b0-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/5573172b-3802-4153-8bd1-6ef6286f38b0-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 260px) 100vw, 260px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><em><strong>Dream Tour<\/strong><\/em><br><em>Another hatful of stage wins for Philipsen and a second green jersey to boot <\/em><\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator is-style-default\"\/>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image bild\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/2c9c3bae-6b77-4bf4-9e72-e196d315935e.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64768\" width=\"274\" height=\"464\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/2c9c3bae-6b77-4bf4-9e72-e196d315935e.jpg 548w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/2c9c3bae-6b77-4bf4-9e72-e196d315935e-177x300.jpg 177w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 274px) 100vw, 274px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><strong>Arkea-B&amp;B Hotels <\/strong>recruited Arnaud D\u00e9mare in a mid-season switch from Groupama-FDJ, as the combustible Frenchman fell out with his old boss. It will be looking to him for its first-ever stage win, even if it\u2019s been six years since the second of his two wins here (2018 was also the last time he finished the race). Perhaps the more likely to break its duck is sprinter Luca Mozzato, who took a brilliant second at the Tour of Flanders in March. He had a couple of top 10s at last year\u2019s Tour and will return strengthened by that Flanders podium. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image photo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/321efcac-1292-4e58-99e3-718f971850e0.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64769\" width=\"260\" height=\"260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/321efcac-1292-4e58-99e3-718f971850e0.jpg 346w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/321efcac-1292-4e58-99e3-718f971850e0-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/321efcac-1292-4e58-99e3-718f971850e0-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 260px) 100vw, 260px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><em><strong>Dream Tour <\/strong><\/em><br><em>If a stage win is too much to ask, the likes of Mozzato to impact the race <\/em><\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator is-style-default\"\/>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image bild\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/f892e24c-2844-4297-a7a7-9e9e952e10c8.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64770\" width=\"242\" height=\"467\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/f892e24c-2844-4297-a7a7-9e9e952e10c8.jpg 484w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/f892e24c-2844-4297-a7a7-9e9e952e10c8-156x300.jpg 156w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 242px) 100vw, 242px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><strong>Kazakhstan\u2019s pro team, <\/strong>at one its lowest ebbs in its near-20-year history and fighting for its WorldTour licence, has been shrewd in re-recruiting Mark Cavendish as he bids \u2013 again \u2013 to become the Tour\u2019s most-prolific rider (he\u2019s currently tied with Eddy Merckx on 34 stage wins). Last summer\u2019s attempt ended abruptly with a broken collar bone on the road to Limoges, but he\u2019s having another crack in 2024. Aiding him are old muckers Michael M\u00f8rk\u00f8v and Davide Ballerini, who\u2019ll add protection on the road and steel in the lead-out. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image photo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/88d06794-c215-4678-9447-a88bc4082776.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64771\" width=\"260\" height=\"260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/88d06794-c215-4678-9447-a88bc4082776.jpg 346w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/88d06794-c215-4678-9447-a88bc4082776-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/88d06794-c215-4678-9447-a88bc4082776-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 260px) 100vw, 260px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><em><strong>Dream Tour <\/strong><\/em><br><em>Cavendish to finally take the stage win record, at the first opportunity in Turin <\/em><\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator is-style-default\"\/>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image bild\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/15caa95b-2382-4d8e-ae18-e8c0f8203831.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64772\" width=\"251\" height=\"467\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/15caa95b-2382-4d8e-ae18-e8c0f8203831.jpg 502w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/15caa95b-2382-4d8e-ae18-e8c0f8203831-161x300.jpg 161w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 251px) 100vw, 251px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><strong>Pello Bilbao secured <\/strong>his best-ever Tour finish (6th) in 2023, as well as his first stage win. The Spaniard dedicated the win to teammate Gino M\u00e4der, who had died a month earlier at the Tour de Suisse, and his death cast the team\u2019s entire season into shadow. Last year\u2019s team leader Mikel Landa has moved to Soudal-Quick-Step to support Remco Evenepoel. General classification hopes will again be a sideshow to the main business of stage-hunting, with Fred Wright, Woet Poels and Matej Mohori\u010d all capable of adding to their impressive tally to date. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image photo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/e9e986cb-2dd7-4404-ba7f-a9141c0c6719.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64773\" width=\"260\" height=\"260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/e9e986cb-2dd7-4404-ba7f-a9141c0c6719.jpg 346w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/e9e986cb-2dd7-4404-ba7f-a9141c0c6719-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/e9e986cb-2dd7-4404-ba7f-a9141c0c6719-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 260px) 100vw, 260px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><em><strong>Dream Tour <\/strong><\/em><br><em>Another flurry of stage wins, and this time one for the ever-animating Wright <\/em><\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator is-style-default\"\/>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image bild\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/06\/7011190d-0726-4059-8e86-b7b949a182b3-edited.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-65415\" width=\"253\" height=\"443\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/06\/7011190d-0726-4059-8e86-b7b949a182b3-edited.jpg 505w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/06\/7011190d-0726-4059-8e86-b7b949a182b3-edited-171x300.jpg 171w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 253px) 100vw, 253px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><strong>Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d, winner <\/strong>of the Giro and Vuelta, made a huge move to the German outfit over the winter, with the biggest goal in mind: to win the Tour de France. Jonas Vingegaard, winner of the past two Tours, had blocked his path at his old team, so the transfer is an ambitious one for both parties. The team is all-in for Rogli\u010d. Fellow Giro winner Jai Hindley, who finished an encouraging 7th on race debut last year, steps back to support the Slovenian in the mountains, as does Russia\u2019s Aleksandr Vlasov, 5th in 2022. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image photo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/c55ccc90-bb54-480d-9016-70c1adca4afb.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64775\" width=\"260\" height=\"260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/c55ccc90-bb54-480d-9016-70c1adca4afb.jpg 346w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/c55ccc90-bb54-480d-9016-70c1adca4afb-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/c55ccc90-bb54-480d-9016-70c1adca4afb-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 260px) 100vw, 260px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><em><strong>Dream Tour <\/strong><\/em><br><em>A first yellow jersey for Rogli\u010d, finally exorcising the ghosts of 2020 <\/em><\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator is-style-default\"\/>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image bild\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/ada1599b-3a6e-41f1-bed7-591f6627ce8b.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64776\" width=\"235\" height=\"452\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/ada1599b-3a6e-41f1-bed7-591f6627ce8b.jpg 469w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/ada1599b-3a6e-41f1-bed7-591f6627ce8b-156x300.jpg 156w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 235px) 100vw, 235px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><strong>The French team <\/strong>endured the leanest of times at its home Grand Tour, going 15 years without winning a stage. It arrested that decline last year with a double stage win, through Ion Izagirre and Victor Lafay. The latter has moved on to Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale, however. Incoming is Frenchman Kenny Elissonde from Lidl-Trek, a flyweight climber who\u2019s only ridden the Tour twice. Guillaume Martin, now 30, will again lead its GC ambitions. A top 10 in the Tour is a valuable ranking point scorer for a team, and Martin does it with stealth. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image photo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/4d3afec9-757e-4ded-b7da-a114a41ae2bf.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64777\" width=\"260\" height=\"260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/4d3afec9-757e-4ded-b7da-a114a41ae2bf.jpg 346w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/4d3afec9-757e-4ded-b7da-a114a41ae2bf-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/4d3afec9-757e-4ded-b7da-a114a41ae2bf-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 260px) 100vw, 260px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><em><strong>Dream Tour<\/strong><\/em><br><em>A third top 10 in four editions for Martin and another stage win to cement its resurgence <\/em><\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator is-style-default\"\/>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image bild\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/a2046e60-9cf3-497e-a2c3-e9c7b5f5635b.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64778\" width=\"248\" height=\"459\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/a2046e60-9cf3-497e-a2c3-e9c7b5f5635b.jpg 495w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/a2046e60-9cf3-497e-a2c3-e9c7b5f5635b-162x300.jpg 162w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 248px) 100vw, 248px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><strong>The long-running French <\/strong>team received a huge boost for its future last winter when sports mega-retailer Decathlon came on board as title sponsor. It doesn\u2019t look hugely different in 2024, even if Sam Bennett and Victor Lafay join. Beno\u00eet Cosnefroy has ridden the previous five Tours for the team and took a decent win at Brabantse Pijl in the spring. Ben O\u2019Connor, 4th in 2021, opted for the Giro in a bid to find his mojo again after some difficult Tours; in his place is Austrian Felix Gall, a breakout star of the 2023 Tour (8th overall and a stage win). <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image photo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/26c99f18-140b-42f9-bbc5-2dc7f64c6b4b.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64779\" width=\"260\" height=\"260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/26c99f18-140b-42f9-bbc5-2dc7f64c6b4b.jpg 346w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/26c99f18-140b-42f9-bbc5-2dc7f64c6b4b-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/26c99f18-140b-42f9-bbc5-2dc7f64c6b4b-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 260px) 100vw, 260px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><em><strong>Dream Tour <\/strong><\/em><br><em>Bennett to rediscover his sprinting mojo and GC progress for the promising Gall <\/em><\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator is-style-default\"\/>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image bild\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/f90b49d0-9716-4eba-bcf8-c0f8fcffd7fc.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64780\" width=\"263\" height=\"461\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/f90b49d0-9716-4eba-bcf8-c0f8fcffd7fc.jpg 525w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/f90b49d0-9716-4eba-bcf8-c0f8fcffd7fc-171x300.jpg 171w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 263px) 100vw, 263px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><strong>Last year\u2019s big <\/strong>acquisition for the Tour de France GC, Richard Carapaz, didn\u2019t make it beyond stage 1, a crash putting him on the sidelines. Following another crash at Tirreno-Adriatico in March he spent another month out before a return in time for the Ardennes Classics in April. He\u2019ll be hoping for a clean bill of health ahead of another tilt at the Tour \u2013 fit and healthy, he is a threat. He also has an Olympic title to defend right after the Tour. Neilson Powless, in the break and looking for stage wins, will give the team strength on multiple fronts. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image photo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/e9122318-4e3b-45c9-8d31-08590bba8494.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64781\" width=\"260\" height=\"260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/e9122318-4e3b-45c9-8d31-08590bba8494.jpg 346w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/e9122318-4e3b-45c9-8d31-08590bba8494-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/e9122318-4e3b-45c9-8d31-08590bba8494-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 260px) 100vw, 260px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><em><strong>Dream Tour<\/strong><\/em><br><em>Carapaz to take his second podium at the Tour, and wins elsewhere for the likes of Neilson Powless <\/em><\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator is-style-default\"\/>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image bild\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/35be71c6-8e9c-4dc5-94e8-8adf9b5eb7a4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64782\" width=\"238\" height=\"458\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/35be71c6-8e9c-4dc5-94e8-8adf9b5eb7a4.jpg 476w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/35be71c6-8e9c-4dc5-94e8-8adf9b5eb7a4-156x300.jpg 156w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 238px) 100vw, 238px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><strong>France\u2019s top team <\/strong>will have to cope without its leading man, the now retired Thibaut Pinot. David Gaudu will need to shoulder more of the burden for the GC, something he\u2019s been hit and miss at over the years. A win in the one-day Tour de Jura in April will have been a boost for him, though expectations at this point are low. The Tour debut of highly promising French youngster Lenny Martinez, 20, will likely have to wait another year at least, as he\u2019s scheduled to ride the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a once again, a race in which he wore the leader\u2019s red jersey in 2023. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image photo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/a8a45d2a-1e36-4a45-a745-bdb58e5ed78b.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64783\" width=\"260\" height=\"260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/a8a45d2a-1e36-4a45-a745-bdb58e5ed78b.jpg 346w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/a8a45d2a-1e36-4a45-a745-bdb58e5ed78b-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/a8a45d2a-1e36-4a45-a745-bdb58e5ed78b-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 260px) 100vw, 260px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><em><strong>Dream Tour<\/strong><\/em><br><em>Gaudu to go one better than his 4th in 2022 and make the podium <\/em><\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator is-style-default\"\/>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image bild\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/20ff87d5-36c2-4ff9-9fc3-9b1bca163655.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64784\" width=\"247\" height=\"462\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/20ff87d5-36c2-4ff9-9fc3-9b1bca163655.jpg 493w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/20ff87d5-36c2-4ff9-9fc3-9b1bca163655-160x300.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 247px) 100vw, 247px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><strong>A team well <\/strong>used to having the outright favourite for the yellow jersey once again heads into the race trailing the best riders. Geraint Thomas, like Tadej Poga\u010dar, is riding the Giro-Tour double and such is his diesel engine he can be relied upon to ride well in both. Spanish youngster Carlos Rodr\u00edguez, 5th last year, will aim for the GC again, though needs to improve his time trialling to be a contender. 2019 champion Egan Bernal, third at Volta Catalunya, continues to rebuild form and has confirmed he\u2019ll ride this year\u2019s race. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image photo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/b9924ba7-d416-4f73-8f5e-a2ca6d2ca03f.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64785\" width=\"260\" height=\"260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/b9924ba7-d416-4f73-8f5e-a2ca6d2ca03f.jpg 346w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/b9924ba7-d416-4f73-8f5e-a2ca6d2ca03f-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/b9924ba7-d416-4f73-8f5e-a2ca6d2ca03f-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 260px) 100vw, 260px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><em><strong>Dream Tour<\/strong><\/em><br><em>Thomas to continue to defy time and make the podium for a 4th time <\/em><\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator is-style-default\"\/>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image bild\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/e085c020-0dbb-45d9-bdbe-322f7e92c6ae.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64786\" width=\"248\" height=\"454\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/e085c020-0dbb-45d9-bdbe-322f7e92c6ae.jpg 495w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/e085c020-0dbb-45d9-bdbe-322f7e92c6ae-164x300.jpg 164w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 248px) 100vw, 248px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><strong>Intermarche-Wanty had <\/strong>quite a rankings slump in 2023 after a sterling 2022, and its Tour de France was symptomatic of that. Its main general classification guy, Louis Meintjes, fell out of the race on stage 14 while Biniam Girmay, after a breakout Classics win at Gent-Wevelgem and a Giro d\u2019Italia stage win in 2022, endured a season of frustration. Both have made progress in 2024, Meintjes in particular with a win at Itzulia. Girmay returned to the Giro in May and how he fares there will dictate his participation in the Tour. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image photo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/0e82be3e-9055-4ba3-9cd0-c5a7bd428e72.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64787\" width=\"260\" height=\"260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/0e82be3e-9055-4ba3-9cd0-c5a7bd428e72.jpg 346w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/0e82be3e-9055-4ba3-9cd0-c5a7bd428e72-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/0e82be3e-9055-4ba3-9cd0-c5a7bd428e72-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 260px) 100vw, 260px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><em><strong>Dream Tour <\/strong><\/em><br><em>A stage win for Girmay and Meintjes to ghost his way to a fourth top 10 finish <\/em><\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator is-style-default\"\/>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image bild\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/05e7be35-1fd1-4c5a-9c38-bf24d5128dae.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64788\" width=\"232\" height=\"448\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/05e7be35-1fd1-4c5a-9c38-bf24d5128dae.jpg 464w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/05e7be35-1fd1-4c5a-9c38-bf24d5128dae-156x300.jpg 156w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 232px) 100vw, 232px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><strong>Chris Froome continues <\/strong>to be one of the best-paid riders in professional cycling, thanks to the long-term contract team owner Sylvan Adams gifted him in 2021. His highest finish in a Grand Tour since then is 114th. Unselected last year, he\u2019ll likely continue on the sidelines and run down his lucrative contract. As a team of stage hunters, it has enjoyed good success, and in Stevie Williams (2024 La Fleche Wallone winner), Michael Woods and Simon Clarke (both past Tour de France stage winners), it has stacks of talent. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image photo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/f4e3ac47-2afb-4a91-8aec-13d85ff33316.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64789\" width=\"260\" height=\"260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/f4e3ac47-2afb-4a91-8aec-13d85ff33316.jpg 346w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/f4e3ac47-2afb-4a91-8aec-13d85ff33316-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/f4e3ac47-2afb-4a91-8aec-13d85ff33316-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 260px) 100vw, 260px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><em><strong>Dream Tour<\/strong><\/em><br><em>A stage win for Williams to cap a memorable season, plus more from an always active team <\/em><\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator is-style-default\"\/>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image bild\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/59601257-24d6-4bed-a31d-122b550bed08.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64790\" width=\"257\" height=\"461\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/59601257-24d6-4bed-a31d-122b550bed08.jpg 514w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/59601257-24d6-4bed-a31d-122b550bed08-167x300.jpg 167w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 257px) 100vw, 257px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><strong>A strong 2023 <\/strong>season set Lidl-Trek up for an even better 2024 and smart winter recruitment will help. Chief among the signings is 2020 Giro d\u2019Italia winner Tao Geoghegan Hart from Ineos Grenadiers, who will spearhead the team\u2019s Tour campaign this July. In top form and avoiding more than his fair share of bad luck, the Brit is one of the best of the rest outside of the Big Four, thanks to his pedigree against the clock in time trials. 2019 world champion Mads Pedersen, stage winner in each of the past two editions, will offer a constant threat. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image photo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/8b5e59d6-25e8-4e1c-b0d1-4db0deff5980.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64791\" width=\"260\" height=\"260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/8b5e59d6-25e8-4e1c-b0d1-4db0deff5980.jpg 346w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/8b5e59d6-25e8-4e1c-b0d1-4db0deff5980-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/8b5e59d6-25e8-4e1c-b0d1-4db0deff5980-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 260px) 100vw, 260px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><em><strong>Dream Tour <\/strong><\/em><br><em>Geoghegan Hart to break into the top 5 overall and Pedersen to take a couple of stage wins <\/em><\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator is-style-default\"\/>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image bild\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/ba2c207f-861d-4a59-b217-d4fa2d80d4b5.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64792\" width=\"272\" height=\"455\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/ba2c207f-861d-4a59-b217-d4fa2d80d4b5.jpg 543w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/ba2c207f-861d-4a59-b217-d4fa2d80d4b5-179x300.jpg 179w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 272px) 100vw, 272px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><strong>Arnaud de Lie, <\/strong>the team\u2019s brightest prospect, is yet to make his Grand Tour debut and the 2024 Tour de France looked in doubt when he was diagnosed with bacterial infection Lyme disease. He was back on the bike in May, however, to win the Tro-Bro L\u00e9on one-day race. Danish rider Andreas Kron enjoyed a fruitful 2023, with a Vuelta win and numerous high-profile top 10s, and will hope for selection after missing out in 2023. Victor Campenaerts is a TT specialist and has a stage to his name in the Giro, albeit on a road stage. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image photo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/1c5b6dd1-633c-463f-a4d8-a89217e37143.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64793\" width=\"260\" height=\"260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/1c5b6dd1-633c-463f-a4d8-a89217e37143.jpg 346w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/1c5b6dd1-633c-463f-a4d8-a89217e37143-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/1c5b6dd1-633c-463f-a4d8-a89217e37143-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 260px) 100vw, 260px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><em><strong>Dream Tour <\/strong><\/em><br><em>De Lie to recover from his illness in time to win on the road to Nice, and a strong showing from Kron <\/em><\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator is-style-default\"\/>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image bild\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/7842ce71-4b59-4ac0-a794-b21022ad02ac.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64794\" width=\"234\" height=\"457\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/7842ce71-4b59-4ac0-a794-b21022ad02ac.jpg 467w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/7842ce71-4b59-4ac0-a794-b21022ad02ac-153x300.jpg 153w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 234px) 100vw, 234px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><strong>With team leader <\/strong>Enric Mas crashing out on the opening stage last year, Movistarwhose shine from a decade ago has long worn offwas left rudderless out of the gate. American youngster Matteo Jorgenson filled the gap admirably, coming close to stage wins on a couple of occasions \u2013 performances that helped earn him a move to serial winners Visma Lease a Bike. Mas will likely lead the line again in 2024; he has previous at the Tour, with 5th and 6th in 2020 and 2021, but the competition gets tougher with each passing year. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image photo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/48ad1bed-abd8-46b6-aadc-dd8e1fb53b8e.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64795\" width=\"260\" height=\"260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/48ad1bed-abd8-46b6-aadc-dd8e1fb53b8e.jpg 346w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/48ad1bed-abd8-46b6-aadc-dd8e1fb53b8e-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/48ad1bed-abd8-46b6-aadc-dd8e1fb53b8e-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 260px) 100vw, 260px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><em><strong>Dream Tour<\/strong><\/em><br><em>A solid top 10 for Mas and animating the race after several anonymous Tours <\/em><\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator is-style-default\"\/>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image bild\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/64fb8bf4-5536-45fb-a437-19929fffb360.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64796\" width=\"253\" height=\"449\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/64fb8bf4-5536-45fb-a437-19929fffb360.jpg 505w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/64fb8bf4-5536-45fb-a437-19929fffb360-169x300.jpg 169w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 253px) 100vw, 253px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><strong>Belgium\u2019s number-one <\/strong>team has shifted its centre of gravity as a Classics-focused team to a Grand Tour one, to match the ambitions of Remco Evenepoel. The problem with that comes when that rider crashes out of the race or loses form, which Evenepoel has done (two Giro DNFs out of two, and a GC capitulation at the 2023 Vuelta). His collarbone break at Itzulia in April compounded the issue and his team will all cross their fingers that he can negotiate his first Tour free of major problems. When he is unfettered, he\u2019s one of the world\u2019s best. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image photo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/24874ab3-47b7-4c43-9237-bb12da99d692.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64797\" width=\"260\" height=\"260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/24874ab3-47b7-4c43-9237-bb12da99d692.jpg 346w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/24874ab3-47b7-4c43-9237-bb12da99d692-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/24874ab3-47b7-4c43-9237-bb12da99d692-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 260px) 100vw, 260px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><em><strong>Dream Tour <\/strong><\/em><br><em>Overall victory for Evenepoel in Nice and a renaissance win for Julian Alaphilippe <\/em><\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator is-style-default\"\/>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image bild\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/ab33aaf4-565d-4ed3-b1a7-b9fe5f6d9d9b.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64798\" width=\"247\" height=\"462\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/ab33aaf4-565d-4ed3-b1a7-b9fe5f6d9d9b.jpg 493w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/ab33aaf4-565d-4ed3-b1a7-b9fe5f6d9d9b-160x300.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 247px) 100vw, 247px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><strong>Romain Bardet has <\/strong>indicated that this could be his last season, so he will want to go out on a high at the Tour if that pans out. He has two podiums to his name, the most recent in 2017. Warren Barguil, a new recruit, also had a Tour to remember in 2017, winning two stages and the polka dot jersey. For both men, it\u2019s likely a Tour too far. Fabio Jakobsen is another new signing with more in the tank and will be a threat in sprints. Young Scot Oscar Onley, winner at the Tour Down Under, might get a ride if he recovers from another collarbone break. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image photo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/2fee26cd-9887-4c9e-a9f8-8acb4a4d1f3a.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64799\" width=\"260\" height=\"260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/2fee26cd-9887-4c9e-a9f8-8acb4a4d1f3a.jpg 346w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/2fee26cd-9887-4c9e-a9f8-8acb4a4d1f3a-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/2fee26cd-9887-4c9e-a9f8-8acb4a4d1f3a-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 260px) 100vw, 260px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><em><strong>Dream Tour<\/strong><\/em><br><em>A top 10 for Bardet would be a fitting reward in his final Tour, plus a stage win or two for Jakobsen <\/em><\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator is-style-default\"\/>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image bild\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/c05e1d56-b412-4a71-903c-fc6830db5897.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64800\" width=\"250\" height=\"459\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/c05e1d56-b412-4a71-903c-fc6830db5897.jpg 499w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/c05e1d56-b412-4a71-903c-fc6830db5897-163x300.jpg 163w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><strong>Now, incredibly, 31, <\/strong>Simon Yates is an elder statesman in the battle for the yellow jersey and has an impressive body of work behind him, including five top 10s and a Vuelta win in 2018. Fourth overall in 2023 ended a rotten run of three consecutive Grand Tour abandons, which will give him confidence in what could be his prime years as a stage racer. The team will also have representation for the flat stages, both in the large frame of Dylan Groenewegen, winner of five stages between 2017 and 2022, and Michael Matthews, second at Milan-Sanremo in March. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image photo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/c3ffc347-755b-48bb-994d-208897dd33cb.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64801\" width=\"260\" height=\"260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/c3ffc347-755b-48bb-994d-208897dd33cb.jpg 346w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/c3ffc347-755b-48bb-994d-208897dd33cb-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/c3ffc347-755b-48bb-994d-208897dd33cb-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 260px) 100vw, 260px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><em><strong>Dream Tour<\/strong><\/em><br><em>Another top 5 for Yates and a brace of wins for Groenewegen in the sprints <\/em><\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator is-style-default\"\/>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image bild\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/bfa69bcd-32bd-4b03-98e4-68f99faabc82.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64802\" width=\"236\" height=\"459\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/bfa69bcd-32bd-4b03-98e4-68f99faabc82.jpg 472w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/bfa69bcd-32bd-4b03-98e4-68f99faabc82-154x300.jpg 154w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 236px) 100vw, 236px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><strong>The winner of <\/strong>all three Grand Tours in 2023 saw its Tour preparations thrown into jeopardy in April when Jonas Vingegaard was embroiled in a horrendous crash at Itzulia Basque Country and spent 12 days in hospital. At the time of writing, his Tour participation seems in the balance, let alone his challenge for a third consecutive yellow jersey. Spoilt for GC options in 2023, this blow comes in the season Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d left for Bora-Hansgrohe. Sepp Kuss, 2023 Vuelta champion, will most likely be Vingegaard\u2019s replacement should he not make it. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image photo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/473131f8-419b-46c6-bde4-9df79f261729.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64803\" width=\"260\" height=\"260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/473131f8-419b-46c6-bde4-9df79f261729.jpg 346w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/473131f8-419b-46c6-bde4-9df79f261729-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/473131f8-419b-46c6-bde4-9df79f261729-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 260px) 100vw, 260px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><em><strong>Dream Tour <\/strong><\/em><br><em>A miraculous recovery from Vingegaard sees him win a third consecutive maillot jaune <\/em><\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator is-style-default\"\/>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image bild\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/79bf97d0-95d8-49f5-8735-c7e0e1f881fe.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64804\" width=\"250\" height=\"457\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/79bf97d0-95d8-49f5-8735-c7e0e1f881fe.jpg 499w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/79bf97d0-95d8-49f5-8735-c7e0e1f881fe-164x300.jpg 164w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><strong>Peter Sagan\u2019s forgettable <\/strong>stay with the team ended with his retirement from the road at the end of 2023, a season in which the three-time world champ went winless for the first time in his pro career. Mathieu Burgaudeau came close a couple of times at last year\u2019s race and is a threat in a breakaway, where the team will be at its most visible. Steff Cras was due to ride the Tour, but was one of the more seriously injured riders in the awful Itzulia Basque Country crash in the spring that brought down higher profile riders, calling it \u201ca brush with death\u201d. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image photo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/c6541cc3-52a7-4ec7-b32f-3a09f47a440e.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64805\" width=\"259\" height=\"260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/c6541cc3-52a7-4ec7-b32f-3a09f47a440e.jpg 345w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/c6541cc3-52a7-4ec7-b32f-3a09f47a440e-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/c6541cc3-52a7-4ec7-b32f-3a09f47a440e-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 259px) 100vw, 259px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><em><strong>Dream Tour<\/strong><\/em><br><em>Another stage win, perhaps from Burgaudeau, to add to a decent haul in its various incarnations <\/em><\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator is-style-default\"\/>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image bild\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/06\/1e991948-b60c-4b1d-bf39-d16bf53d1ad3-edited.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-65414\" width=\"245\" height=\"458\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/06\/1e991948-b60c-4b1d-bf39-d16bf53d1ad3-edited.jpg 490w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/06\/1e991948-b60c-4b1d-bf39-d16bf53d1ad3-edited-161x300.jpg 161w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 245px) 100vw, 245px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><strong>Of the so-called <\/strong>Big Four contenders for the Tour, Tadej Poga\u010dar was the only one to escape injury in the Basque Country pile-up, on account of being at an altitude training camp in southern Spain. When he announced his intention to take on the Giro-Tour double, it was assumed he\u2019d romp the Giro but come up short once more against Jonas Vingegaard at the Tour. The Dane\u2019s punctured lung has seen the odds slashed on his ambitious double, however, which hasn\u2019t been done since Marco Pantani in the drug-plagued era of 1998. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image photo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/cc295caf-f9ef-45ca-a6e4-4aa3bb05d443.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64807\" width=\"260\" height=\"260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/cc295caf-f9ef-45ca-a6e4-4aa3bb05d443.jpg 346w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/cc295caf-f9ef-45ca-a6e4-4aa3bb05d443-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/cc295caf-f9ef-45ca-a6e4-4aa3bb05d443-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 260px) 100vw, 260px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><em><strong>Dream Tour<\/strong><\/em><br><em>The Giro-Tour double for Poga\u010dar in Nice while fending off strong challenges from his big rivals <\/em><\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator is-style-default\"\/>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image bild\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/03a7c7e9-d72b-4746-b5a3-23cb89128c47.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64808\" width=\"239\" height=\"464\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/03a7c7e9-d72b-4746-b5a3-23cb89128c47.jpg 478w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/03a7c7e9-d72b-4746-b5a3-23cb89128c47-155x300.jpg 155w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 239px) 100vw, 239px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><strong>Andreas Leknessund, the <\/strong>Norwegian who wore the <em>maglia rosa, <\/em>the leader\u2019s jersey of the Giro d\u2019Italia, for five stages last season and finished 8th overall while with Team DSM, has joined this Norwegian team for 2024 and is set to ride the Tour. He\u2019ll have experienced support from Tour double stage winner Magnus Cort, while Tobias Halland Johannessen was the team\u2019s highest GC rider at the Tour last year (30th). The wily Alexander Kristoff, a four-time stage winner, will be 37 in July but still has wins in his locker. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"no-tts wp-block-image is-resized article-in-image photo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/2027cb86-6452-4dcb-b60b-4479b442d665.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"no-tts wp-image-64809\" width=\"260\" height=\"260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/2027cb86-6452-4dcb-b60b-4479b442d665.jpg 346w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/2027cb86-6452-4dcb-b60b-4479b442d665-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/05\/2027cb86-6452-4dcb-b60b-4479b442d665-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 260px) 100vw, 260px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"article-full-body sans-serif\"><em><strong>Dream Tour<\/strong><\/em><br><em>Top 10 overall for Leknessund to follow up his strong Giro last season <\/em><\/p>\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"footer\"><strong>Photos <\/strong>Getty<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tour de France 2024Teams Words John Whitney At time of writing it isn\u2019t certain that star rider Mathieu van der Poel will be in Alpecin\u2019s Tour team. If he decides to ride XC mountain bike at the Paris Olympics he won\u2019t, and if he doesn\u2019t, he will. Regardless, he\u2019s had mixed fortunes at the French [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":65417,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ub_ctt_via":"","purple_page_number":"148","purple_custom_meta_purple_page_number":"148","purple_seq_number":"1","purple_custom_meta_purple_seq_number":"1","purple_source_article":"article_148-1.xml","purple_custom_meta_purple_source_article":"article_148-1.xml","purple_source_issue":"Summer-2024","purple_custom_meta_purple_source_issue":"Summer-2024","purple_external_id":"Summer-2024-148-1","purple_custom_meta_purple_external_id":"Summer-2024-148-1","purple_issue_code":"|0000116816||","purple_custom_meta_purple_issue_code":"|0000116816||","purple_android_product":"com.im.cyclingplus.420","purple_custom_meta_purple_android_product":"com.im.cyclingplus.420","purple_ios_product":"com.im.cyclingplus.420","purple_custom_meta_purple_ios_product":"com.im.cyclingplus.420","purple_web_product":"","purple_custom_meta_purple_web_product":"","purple_publication_id":"d6ad2395-23ab-4326-a10d-940b8b948490","purple_migrated":"","kt_blocks_editor_width":"","apple_news_api_created_at":"2024-06-07T13:53:06Z","apple_news_article-theme":"","apple_news_api_id":"7ad7e881-40b8-49ae-b677-b7ed7fff0cb0","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2024-06-07T16:17:33Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQ==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/apple.news\/AetfogUC4Sa62d7ftf_8MsA","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_is_hidden":false,"apple_news_is_paid":false,"apple_news_is_preview":false,"apple_news_is_sponsored":false,"apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_article_theme":"","apple_news_sections":"\"\""},"categories":[192],"tags":[14],"apple_news_notices":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/06\/2ca3465d-f43b-429a-a91f-402e6e0c0ea7-edited.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"16","apple_news_title":""},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/06\/2ca3465d-f43b-429a-a91f-402e6e0c0ea7-edited.jpg",914,1371,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/06\/2ca3465d-f43b-429a-a91f-402e6e0c0ea7-edited-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/06\/2ca3465d-f43b-429a-a91f-402e6e0c0ea7-edited-200x300.jpg",200,300,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/06\/2ca3465d-f43b-429a-a91f-402e6e0c0ea7-edited-768x1152.jpg",768,1152,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/06\/2ca3465d-f43b-429a-a91f-402e6e0c0ea7-edited-683x1024.jpg",683,1024,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/06\/2ca3465d-f43b-429a-a91f-402e6e0c0ea7-edited.jpg",914,1371,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2024\/06\/2ca3465d-f43b-429a-a91f-402e6e0c0ea7-edited.jpg",914,1371,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Tour de France 2024Teams Words John Whitney At time of writing it isn\u2019t certain that star rider Mathieu van der Poel will be in Alpecin\u2019s Tour team. If he decides to ride XC mountain bike at the Paris Olympics he won\u2019t, and if he doesn\u2019t, he will. Regardless, he\u2019s had mixed fortunes at the French&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64319"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=64319"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64319\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":65424,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64319\/revisions\/65424"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/65417"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=64319"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=64319"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=64319"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}