The Tour de France starts this Friday in Copenhagen. A 13-kilometer time trial that will be the first test of the candidates to the final victory. On July 24, only one person will climb to the top of the podium when the race puts the finishing touches on the 21-day competition on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. will be in a day Second attempt of this 40-kilometer raid, a stage that could be key to the overall classification. There’s a lot of terrain in the middle for climbers to play their cards, which opens up the range of candidates.

These are the Tour de France 2022 favourites:

Tadej Pogacar

The tour has a clear favorite: Tadej Pogacar. 23 years old – will turn 24 next September – Emirates cyclist He already has two victories in Paris, a dream record for a cyclist his age. In this edition, the Slovenian genius will also have a team tailored to your needs To compete with teams like Jumbo-Visma or Ineos. Already dazzling with third place in the Vuelta in 2019, Pogacar showed he is still on the road to victory with his victory in Tirreno-Adriatico this year.

primoz roglic

At the same time, Slovenian Primoz Roglic is currently emerging as the main rival of his fellow countryman. a career in which he wants to settle his accounts. The three Vueltas winner Jumbo-Visma cyclist took a victory over Pogacar in the historic La Planche des Belles Filles time trial in 2020 and was forced to retire after suffering a fall in third place last year. The 32-year-old is in a rush of options to be crowned in the biggest race backed by a luxury bloc. His victories at Paris-Nice this year and the Dauphiné show that he will fight.

jonas vingegaard

In this edition of the race, where some teams come with more than one option, the range of candidates widens after two Slovenes. This is what will happen with Jumbo-Visma, who will start the tour with Roglic as the theoretical leader. Jonas Vingegaard was classified as runner-up last year, in their ranks. The 25-year-old Danish cyclist may take his chance if the Slovenian cyclist fails. This year, he sent two messages about his potential, with two second places in the big tests: Tirreno-Adriatico and Dauphiné.

Daniel Felipe Martinez

In a situation similar to Jumbo-Visma, ineos, the other major Tour de France super team. Without Egan BernalRecovering from a serious crash and perhaps even more suspicion, the team will have to choose between Colombian Daniel Felipe Martínez and England’s Geraint Thomas. The race will put everyone in their place, but in advance the bet will fall on the youth’s side. Martinez, Fifth in the Giro this year, winner of Itzulia and third in Paris-Nice, the team’s emerging talent at the age of 26. His awesome level against time can help him in this edition of the Grande Boucle.

Geraint Thomas

Welsh Geraint Thomas In Daniel Felipe Martínez’s Ineos, he’s the one who can argue leadership. As one of only three drivers to start with at least one Lap, he has the qualifications to do so. Despite being 36 years old, his recent victory in the Tour of Switzerland makes it clear that he has overcome his private journey through the desert. victory in 2018. Your experience and ability to defend yourself in all conditions will play in your favor.

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The Spanish number in the general classification will again be Enric Mas. The Mallorcan Movistar rider has already accumulated experience and maturity and will have a calming team to support him. 27 years old, has already joined the Tour Fifth in 2020 and sixth in final edition. The general feeling is that he could go one step higher, allowing him to fight for the podium and perhaps for victory. Without any notable wins this season, his preparations aim to shine on the French roads.

Ben O’Connor

The list of applicants has been expanded with a few names that will have to show this year if they have the capacity to stand shoulder to shoulder with the best. Russian Aleksandr Vlasov, British Adam Yates, French Romain Bardet or Colombian Nairo Quintana are some of them.. But many eyes focused on Australia. Ben O’Connor. Fourth from last year, the Ag2r rider won’t have the support that accompanies the other applicants, but will try to take advantage of the margin that big favorites’ cross-checks can give him on the mountains.