Welcome to the 2013 Tour de France! What a course we have lined up for this year’s central event of the season. There are mountains galore with key stags in both mountain chains, as well as plenty of time in the Massif Central and there is also a trip into Spain! Before we get to the route let’s break it down simply into types of stage:
8 Flat Stage
3 Hilly Stages
7 Mountain Stages
1 Hilltop Finishes
6 Mountaintop Finishes
2 ITT stages (38.2 km)
1 TTT stage (81.7km)
Week 1
The race kicks off in Brittany, the hotbed of French cycling, with a 24.7km long TTT. Right off the bat the GC riders will be looking for time but that’s not all that is at stake – the team who wins here will get a huge points haul thanks to taking up lots of GC places. Stage 2 is a flat stage with no real difficulties, but the two cat 4 climbs will ensure that we get our first KOM jersey wearer. The stage goes along the northern coast of France, so the wind may play a small part.
Stage 3 heads south across the country and should prove even simpler than the day before. We cut back in land for stage 4 into Limoges. The stage is classified as flat but in fact the route finishes on the 2km long Rue du Fraud, which averages about 5%. It could well be a day for some of the tougher sprint men who can climb fairly well.
Stage 5 should give us another shake-up of the GC as we have the only hilltop finish of the race in Saint Bonnet Elvert. This final climb is a fairly tough 7.4km long but it only averages 4.5% so may be okay for all but the weakest punchy riders. From here we have another hilly stage to Saint Chely d’Apcher, which should be too tough for sprinters but probably won’t shake up the GC riders, so this could be a great day for a break. Finally, this same town hosts the first of our two ITT on stage 7.
Week 2
It is rare for the Massif Central to get such a huge look-in in this race but this year they host not one but two key stage finishes. Stage 8 is the first true mountaintop finish of the race and it looks truly gruelling – 7 tough climbs which concludes atop the Col du Minier. This climb, while only 4.6% in gradient is a whopping 22.5km in length. Stage 9 doesn’t get any easier as the riders take on a couple of climbs towards the end of the day – the Col de Chalsio leads in to the Col de Finiels. These two climbs together account for 29.4km uphill, though there is time for recovery on the descents and the gradients don’t bite too hard.
With those two stages behind us we have a couple of transitional stages. First we head with a long stage to Toulouse, where the sprinters will be hungry for one of the few opportunities for them in this race. After that stage 10, stage 11 takes us into the usual stage finish in Pau, which serves as the resting spot before the ordeals in the Pyrenees which await.
Stage 12 kicks off those ordeals and it is here where some of the GC riders who are better on the hills will be looking to make up time. It is a sharks-tooth profile with no huge climbs but plenty of very steep gradients. 12 categorised climbs await the riders so the break will be very popular on this day. The stage concludes in San Sebastian. From there we kick off stage 13 in nearby Pamplona. Some of the riders would rather take part in the running of the bulls than take on this stage – the three main difficulties are the Col d’Elhursaro (10.3km @ 7.8%), the Col d’Arthe (5.2km @ 11.3%) and then the finish upon the Puerto de Larrau (14.3km @ 7.6%).
So normally that would be enough for the tough Pyrenean stages, but not this year. Stage 14 takes in three legendary climbs – the Col d’Aspin (12km @ 6.5%), Col du Tourmalet (17.2km @ 7.3%) and the finish on top of Col de Tentes (30km @ 5%). That’s right, 30km. By this point we should have a solid idea of what our podium may look like, or at least who is likely to be on it.
Week 3
Any sprinters who have hauled themselves over the course thus far will surely be begging for mercy and here it is – a flat stage into Nimes with few difficulties for stage 15. This is then backed up with another flat stage into Nice as stage 16, bringing us right to the Alps for the final showdown. But first we have stage 17’s flat time trial, a fairly decent 43.5km, which could work in the favour of some who have lost time.
So with the final time trial out o the way it is time to finish off the GC. We start with stage 18 which will surely go to a break. Two HC climbs are here – Col de la Bonette and Col du Parpaillon, both of which are fairly steep, but the long descent to the finish may discourage attacks from GC riders.
But the day after that won’t discourage attacks – we have a whole list of classic climbs for stage 19, enough to appease any Tour purist. Col du Galibier from the Col du Lautaret side is up first, descending down via the Telegraphe. Then it is on to the Col de la Croix de Fer (30km @ 5.1%), the Col de la Madeleine (19.7km @ 7.7%), the Col du Pradier (13.7km @ 7%) and finally we have our finish atop La Plagne (22.1km @ 6.4%). This is a total of 88.7km of climbing, or 7258 metres of accumulated height gain. This is one of those monstrous stages which many can only ever dream of seeing.
But if somehow more than a handful of riders can get up the next day, we still have stage 20 with 5 more big climbs on the menu. Cormet de Roseland (19.3km @ 6%), Col des Saisies (15km @ 6.4%), Col de l’Aravis (11.5km @ 5%), Col de la Colombiere (11.7km @ 5.8% and finally the last climb of this Tour de France – Col de la Pierre Carree (21.1km @ 6.3%).
After this we have a relaxing ride through the streets of Paris as we hit the end of the Tour on stage 21. It is unlikely that too many sprinters made it to the end of this race, however, so this could be one of those very rare situations where an opportunist gets the chance to take a surprise victory here.
So who has made the trip to France to take on not just the sport’s most important race, but also this year’s toughest? Below we have the list of riders in their teams. In all of the following lists, the results in all the previous MG Tours de France are listed, along with the number of stage wins.
Team Overview: Angel Madrazo has spent all his race days this season going for the Giro-Tour double. Or at least that was the plan. Just 13 seconds separated him and victory in the Giro earlier this year again Taylor Phinney. He was second overall in this race last year as well, perhaps he is making a habit of this? He will surely be looking to make amends for both those results here and the climbing-heavy course will really suit him. But of course, he is also one of the best TTists amongst the GC contenders, so he might be able to make up time there.
But what about his team? Well Justo Tenorio won the Vuelta a Espana and is now here to serve his leader, though he could well take aim at a top 10 result if he doesn’t burn himself out. Rafael Valls and David Lopez Garcia are both also terrific climbing domestiques and should be able to control things very well for their leader. Some of the teams may be hoping to catch these guys out in the team time trial, however, as the team seems to lack depth here beyond their two strongest riders.
In Summary:
Listed as the favourite for this year, Madrazo will be looking to go one better than last year and take out his first Tour de France title.
Team B&O
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
SW
11
Aleksandr
Pluchkin
12th
7th
4th
3rd
3
12
Michael Faerk
Christensen
DNF
13
Andrei
Grivko
26th
40th
14
Rasmus
Guldhammer
51st
15
Michael
Mørkøv
16
Morten
Reckweg
DNF
17
André
Steensen
148th
18
Sten
Stenersen
19
Brian
Vandborg
95th
Aleksandr Pluchkin’s Major 2013 Results:
2nd overall - Volta Ciclista a Catalunya (1 stage win)
5th overall - Tour de Suisse (1 stage win)
5th overall - Tour of Romandie
Team Overview: Aleksandr Pluchkin has a great history with this race – he has seen steady improvements over his 4 previous appearances here, finally reaching the podium last year. He also took 2 stage wins in 2011 and 1 in 2010. He has been looking good this year, though he lacks a stage race victory. He is amongst the best climbers in the race, and without a doubt he is the best time trialist – can he make up enough time in that discipline to allow him to hang on when the others attack?
He may find a lot of his race seeming like an individual effort – Rasmus Guldhammer provides his only notable climbing support. What this team lacks in climbers, it more than makes up for in time trialling depth, however. Pretty much the rest of the team are specialists in this discipline – the plan is clearly to gamble on making up time in the opening TTT and hoping to hold on to this early lead. Will this pan out?
In Summary:
Can Aleksandr Pluchkin continue his steady progression and end up 2nd... or even the overall winner?
Vesuvio – Accumalux
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
SW
21
Andy
Schleck
6th
1
22
Marcel
Barth
23
David
Claerebout
102nd
24
Thomas
De Gendt
101st
DNF
25
Marcel
Kittel
26
Matea
Kvasina
39th
36th
45th
27
Dmitri
Medvedev
48th
52nd
28
Richie
Porte
29
Mwangi
Samwel
40th
25th
Andy Schleck’s Major 2013 Results:
1st overall - Tour of Romandie (1 stage win)
2nd overall - Tour de Suisse
3rd overall - Volta Ciclista a Catalunya
Team Overview:
Consistently one of the best climbers this season, Andy Schleck looks like a real threat for the overall win. He lacks a fair bit on the others in the time trial discipline, which could well prove a stumbling block, but if he can make the race hard enough in the mountains then the others might be so tired that he can minimise his losses. Either way he will surely be one of the most exciting riders to watch here.
The team around him looks very nicely balanced, but all focussed towards the yellow jersey. Mwangi Samwel and Dmitri Medvedev have both looked decidedly average this season, but hopefully they can really lift in the mountains to grind things down. Meanwhile, the two Marcels - Kittel and Barth - should hopefully be able to avoid their leader losing more than a handful of seconds in the opening TTT.
In Summary:
Definitely a rider to watch for at least a podium and certainly a great chance for at least a stage win – Andy Schleck will make this race interesting.
Pokerstars.com
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
SW
31
Erik
Mohs
158th
32
Johim
Ariesen
33
Stef
Clement
34
Samuel
Dumoulin
96th
109th
95th
112th
35
Timothy
Dupont
36
Christophe
Kern
97th
126th
37
Martijn
Maaskant
38
Niki
Terpstra
122nd
39
Jurgen
Van Goolen
Erik Mohs’ Major 2013 Results:
2nd - Stage 3 Giro d’Italia
Team Overview: Erik Mohs has had a disappointing season, without a win thus far. Perhaps in a team of sprinters this isn’t too surprising, but he will really need to lift his game after only managing one podium place at the Giro. His problem is that he really struggles over the hills, so he will be looking to some of the flatter stages which this Tour serves up. He may not make it to Paris, however, as the big mountain stages could well see him eliminated.
The team around him is, of course, nothing short of a superb lead-out train. Timothy Dupont and Samuel Dumoulin should be capable of giving Mohs the position which he needs, and the rest of the team are capable of chasing back breaks and setting up the early parts of the sprint. Christope Kern is one of the only riders here who can climb and he should be given a free role in the mountains – he won stage 13 of the Vuelta this way and could well pull another one out of the hat here.
In Summary:
Mohs needs to perform, not just for the team, but also to justify a renewed contract.
UBS – BMC
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
SW
41
Andrei
Amador
73rd
13th
1
42
Dimitri
Champion
152nd
DNF
43
Rafaâ
Chtioui
139th
44
Silvan
Dillier
45
Thomas
Frei
83rd
46
Johan
Le Bon
47
Christophe
Riblon
51st
77th
48
Florian
Stalder
141st
49
Johann
Tschopp
97th
64th
64th
1
Andrei Amador’s Major 2013 Results:
1st overall – Tour de Suisse (2 stage wins)
4th overall – Volta Ciclista a Catalunya
Team Overview:
Coming off a dominant performance at Tour de Suisse Andrei Amador looks like a serious podium contender. He only lacks a tiny bit in the mountains compared to the best here, and he has proven himself over the years to be a magnificent time trialist, so he can easily make up any lost time. He should certainly be able to better last year’s 13th place.
His team may prove to be a bit of a problem – Christophe Riblon is the only other climber here, and he won’t make it through the toughest climbs. The team time trial might bring a little better news, though, as Dimitri Champion and Rafaâ Chtioui are both strong time trialists.
In Summary:
Amador could well manage a podium but he is mostly going to have to do it himself.
Lotto – Cervelo
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
SW
51
Damiano
Cunego
1st
2
52
William
Bonnet
123rd
111th
144th
53
Gerald
Ciolek
146th
134th
54
Juan José
Cobo
55
Moises
Dueñas
56
Manuel
Lloret
57
Maxime
Monfort
30th
58
Artemio
Moschella
59
Maciej
Ulanowski
Damiano Cunego’s Major 2013 Results:
1st overall – Tirreno – Adriatico
1st – Badaling International
1st – Classique du Grand-Duché
Team Overview:
So far unbeaten this season, Damiano Cunego is looking as strong as ever (though he did get very lucky at Tirreno...). There is an interesting little fact that no rider in the Man Game has ever defended their Tour de France title – yet the Little Prince could well be the first. He is one of the top climbers here, but where he is most likely to make up time is on the hills – he is probably the best puncheur in the race, even including the specialists in that discipline. His weakness, however, is the time trial and it is here where Madrazo in particular can make up time to win this race. So Cunego needs to be aggressive, both on the hills and in the mountains.
With all the money spent on Cunego (over a third of the team’s budget) you would think that his team would be a bit weak. That is not the case, however, as he has a huge cast of climbers around him – not quite as deep as Santander’s offerings, but strong enough. Juan Jose Cobo and Manuel Lloret in particular stick out. The team may struggle a bit in the TTT and will hope that bringing William Bonnet as a specialist was worthwhile.
In Summary:
Without a doubt Cunego is one of the favourites for this race – last year’s fight with Madrazo was epic and this year’s fight has all the makings of another classic race.
Wiggle Professional Cycling Team
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
SW
61
Simone
Ponzi
62
Steven
Burke
63
Mattia
Cattaneo
64
Teodoro
Costagli
92nd
65
Jan
Ghyselinck
DNF
66
Mikhail
Ignatiev
99th
73rd
67
Adrian
Malori
68
Michael
Schär
114th
DNF
69
Marcel
Wyss
109th
140th
Simone Ponzi’s Major 2013 Results:
2nd overall – Tirreno-Adriatico
2nd - Classique du Grand-Duché
3rd – Badaling International
5th – Fleche-Wallonne
8th – Amstel Gold Race
9th – Milano – Sanremo
Team Overview: Simone Ponzi is winless so far this year, but he has come close numerous times, usually beaten by Cunego. He comes to his first Tour de France as a stage hunter – there aren’t many puncheurs who have made the trip here, so this seems like an ideal opportunity for him. Not only that but he has a vicious kick that could well seem him be competitive in some of the toughest flat stages.
In addition to Ponzi, the team have a couple of other riders to look out for. Mikhail Ignatiev will go into the flat time trials as one of the favourites, and he can also support his leader on the hilly stages. Combining his TT prowess with a number of others who are here – Jan Ghyselinck, Adrian Malori and Michael Schar – means that this team also has to be a serious contender to take the TTT. Finally, Teodoro Costagli could manage a half decent GC result or a result from a break.
In Summary:
A very nicely balanced team with numerous opportunities for a stage win, whether on the road or in the TTs.
Heineken presented by California Giant Berry Farms
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
SW
71
Janez
Brajkovic
15th
72
Jack
Bauer
73
Tyler
Brandt
111th
74
Pieter
Ghyllebert
75
Arnold
Jeannesson
61st
76
Kristjan
Koren
77
Pim
Ligthart
78
Thomas
Peterson
61st
79
Ronan
Van Zandbeek
Janez Brajkovic’s Major 2013 Results:
5th overall – Tirreno-Adriatico
Team Overview:
Aiming for a top 5 result, or at least a middle top 10 is Janez Brajkovic. The Slovenian is not good enough in the mountains to really stick with the top few riders but he is amongst the best against the clock. He is an excellent all-rounder and could be hard to beat amongst the best of the rest.
The team is quite strong with Tyler Brandt and ]Arnold Jeannesson both providing solid climbing support. Not only that but Kristjan Koren lends his countryman assistance in the TTT, along with several other strong riders. This should allow them to make up some seconds on weaker teams before the mountains hit.
In Summary:
Brajkovic is good enough for a top 5 if he can get time in the TT.
Team Bacardi
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
SW
81
Beñat
Intxausti
5th
82
Dmitri
Grabovski
66th
83
Aidis
Kruopis
84
Daniel
Navarro
101st
96th
85
Sergio
Pardilla
59th
60th
86
Mathieu
Perget
104th
81st
109th
87
Lucas
Schädlich
169th
88
Francisco José
Terciado
34th
89
Ricardo
Van der Velde
82nd
Beñat Intxausti’s Major 2013 Results:
None
Team Overview: Beñat Intxausti is one of the best climbers in the race, definitely, but he is certainly not a well-rounded rider. He will struggle on the punchier stages for sure, and so may not like the trip into Spain. However, he is an accomplished time trialist and he is proven over three weeks. It will be interesting to see how he can make up time.
Looking at the team, you have to wonder if they could even given Santander a run for their money, given they won’t be burdened with leading the pack for much of the race. Daniel Navarro, Francisco Terciado and Sergio Pardilla are all great climbers in their own right and might have the freedom to ride for a lower GC spot. There is a mixture here in the TTT with Dmitri Grabovski and Lucas Schadlich both strong against the clock, but with a lack of depth across the rest of the team.
In Summary:
A really great and deep team with many options – if they are given the freedom this could cause a real surprise in the team classification while still leading Intxausti to a solid result.
Team Puma – SAP
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
SW
91
Daniele
Bennati
115th
139th
4
92
Mickaël
Delage
114th
93
Tom
Dumoulin
94
Enrico
Gasparotto
115th
1
95
Wilco
Kelderman
96
Thomas Vedel
Kvist
152nd
97
Gianni
Meersman
98
Sébastien
Minard
99
Nick
Nuyens
110th
98th
113th
137th
Daniele Bennati’s Major 2013 Results:
4 stage wins – Giro d’Italia
2nd – Rund um Koln
3rd – Milano – Sanremo
4th overall – Tour of Qatar (1 stage win)
Team Overview:
After the misfortune of missing out on the points jersey at the Giro, Daniele Bennati comes here looking for the coveted green jersey. This may prove hard with this sort of course, but if any sprinter can do it, it is the aging Italian. He has 5 stage wins this season, including 4 at the Giro, and if he doesn’t add to his 4 previous Tour wins he will be greatly disappointed.
But any great sprinter needs a sprint train to really deliver them to the line, and Bennati’s team is one of the best. Enrico Gasparotto and Thomas Vedel Kvist are two incredibly good final lead-outs who should keep the pace high, while the rest of the team are here mostly to chase down breaks. The presence of cobblestone specialist Nick Nuyens proves this more than anything.
In Summary:
Expect to see these guys rivalling Pokerstars for space at the front of the sprints. Also expect Bennati to take several stages here.
Team CSC-Orbea
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
SW
101
David
Abal
102
Igor
Antón
22nd
33rd
103
Sergio
Barrio
104
Ivan
Basso
105
Omar
Fraile
106
Koldo
Gil
20th
107
Olivier
Kaisen
108
Eloy
Teruel
109
Carlos
Verona
Team Overview:
The first of the two PCT teams here, and it is a remarkably strong team given the lower wage budget. David Abal is a very strong climber and a great time trialist, though he may struggle on the hills. This is his first Tour but surely a top 10 is at least a possibility. He may also struggle a touch over the three weeks and this will be a real test of his recuperation.
Igor Anton is pretty much the only teammate worth noting. He should be capable of a strong ride on his own terms, but will likely be helping his compatriot most of the time. Sergio Barrio] could also be an interesting stage hunter here. But of course being from the lower division, the depth was always going to be a problem, so not only are there no other climbers, the team will also struggle against the clock, where they could well be struggling to stay at all in touch.
In Summary:
Abal is likely to be on the back foot from the beginning at the TTT but could light things up in the mountains.
Wikipedia
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
SW
111
Matthew
Goss
133rd
DNF
112
Dion
Beukeboom
113
Brent
Bookwalter
114
Kenny
Elissonde
115
Reinhardt
Janse van Rensburg
116
Nick
Kinney
117
Christoph
Mai
79th
37th
118
Thibaut
Pinot
49th
119
Matthieu
Sprick
77th
52nd
38th
40th
69th
Matthew Goss’ Major 2013 Results:
2 stage wins – Vuelta a Espana
8th – Rund um Koln
Team Overview:
With his confidence boosted by two stage wins at the Vuelta, Matthew Goss comes here hoping to take away a stage or two. He will struggle over the hills and mountains compared to riders like Bennati, but he still has a great kick and if he finds himself in the right position he could certainly take this.
His problem is that he has no lead-out riders, so will have to do his own thing. There will be trains to follow, so that shouldn’t be a problem, but it does turn the whole thing into a gamble. Thankfully, Wikipedia have also brought some other stage hunters with Christophe Mai and Thibaut Pinot both looking like potential stage winners, or the sort of people who could even go for the KOM jersey. Special mention also goes to Matthieu Sprick, who is here in his 6th straight Man Game Tour.
In Summary:
Goss will really want to try to nab a stage win, but may struggle on his own. The team haven’t put all their eggs in one basket though, so this could be quite a successful race.
Milka – AVG
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
SW
121
Sergio Luis
Henao Montoya
13th
10th
1
122
Maxime
Bouet
90th
98th
128th
121st
123
Jerome
Coppel
87th
67th
114th
1
124
Juan Pablo
Forero
165th
DNF
125
Roman
Kreuziger
80th
65th
61st
87th
126
Jaroslav
Kulhavy
127
Yevgeni
Nepomnyachsniy
59th
128
Jakub
Novak
129
Jesse
Sergent
Sergio Henao’s Major 2013 Results:
Stage win – Giro d’Italia
Team Overview:
After a disappointing Giro, where a stage win was the only saving grace, Sergio Henao comes to the Tour looking to make amends. His 10th last year shows what he can do but his limitations have to be acknowledged – while he is superb in the mountains, he is not the best puncheur or TT riders. So if he wants to land another top 10 result he has to attack – and often!
Thankfully he has a great team around him. Jaroslav Kulhavy will be his right-hand man in the mountains, but it is in the TTT where this team really shines. Certainly, they will be one of the big favourites there. Jerome Coppel should also have his sights set on the two flat ITTs. So all in all, this could be a very good Tour for Milka.
In Summary:
This may well be a good race for Milka, they have numerous stage options and could also get a decent GC.
Festina – CANAL+
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
SW
131
Óscar
Guerao
132
Mathieu
Bernaudeau
DNF
DNF
133
Tim
Dees
74th
134
Ivan
Kovalev
164th
135
Anthony
Lavoine
147th
136th
DNF
136
Pierre
Rolland
58th
74th
137
Benoît
Sinner
138th
138
Chris Anker
Sørensen
83rd
139
Geert
Steurs
133rd
DNF
Oscar Guerao’s Major 2013 Results:
2 Stages – Volta Ciclista a Catalunya
Points Jersey - Volta Ciclista a Catalunya
7th – Rund um Koln
Team Overview:
Though he had a disappointing Vuelta, Oscar Guerao is still a potent sprinter. He has a great finish but his problem is getting over the hills and mountains of the average GT. Thankfully for him there are some pan-flat stages here, which will certainly make him a real contender in the race.
Guerao has had problems with his lead-out train this season but Anthony Lavoine and Benoit Sinner will do their best to line him up for the win. Their problem is that they suffer over hills even more than their leader. But the team aren’t here just for the sprints, they also have a potent TTT train, which should double as a team to chase after the breaks.
In Summary:
A lot hinges on Guerao and if he can take a stage win against this level of competition then the race will be successful, otherwise he will be fighting for the lower places.
VolksWagen – Mapei
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
SW
141
Vadim
Ratiy
83rd
26th
142
Matthias
Brändle
143
Gregory
Brenes
144
Jaime Alberto
Castañeda
164th
145
Phan Age
Haugard
146
Georg
Preidler
147
Marcel
Sieberg
144th
132nd
159th
DNF
148
Rick
Zabel
149
Ruben
Zepuntke
Team Overview:
Another pure mountain goat sent here as leader, Vadim Ratiy should be able to do his PCT team proud. He is likely to struggle over the smaller hills and also may find three weeks too long for him to perform well, but still a top 20 spot seems almost certain, if not a top 15, thus bettering his previous best of 26th. Consistent climbing will be the name of the game here.
This is a really young team, with only one rider over the age of 27. Unfortunately this means that the team really does lack climbing and TT depth. Bringing Jaime Alberto Castañeda was an interesting choice – he is quick but suffers on the climbs. Rick Zabel is here to lead him out, but he may find this level of competition just a step too much.
In Summary:
It is really all-in with Ratiy here, so expect to see them in breaks, just trying to keep the race interesting.
Project 1t4i
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
SW
151
Peter
Velits
49th
22nd
1
152
Jonathan
Castroviejo
153
Koen
De Kort
154
Mohammad Saufi
Mat Senan
155
Wout
Poels
110th
156
Julien
Simon
157
Ramon
Sinkeldam
158
Kristof
Vandewalle
159
Benoît
Vaugrenard
107th
129th
124th
1
Peter Velits’ Major 2013 Results:
9th overall – Volta Ciclista a Catalunya (1 stage win)
Team Overview:
While not among the best climbers in the race, Peter Velits is definitely one of the most well-rounded. He can TT well and ride over the hills decently. This consistency should serve him well, but his attempts for a top 10 may be handicapped by being unable to climb as well as some of his competition.
In past years this team would have gone all-out for the TTT but not this year. Certainly they have one of the better teams for this discipline but it is far from the dominant team of previous years. But it is hard to see what purpose much of the team serves – they are all good riders but none of them are strong enough to stick around in the mountains and most of them aren’t great puncheurs either. So it is a bit of a mixed bag but without any great individual there.
In Summary:
Velits might find the pace just a bit too high in the mountains, but he could well make up some time elsewhere and sneak into the top 10.
Pearl Adidas
161
Romain
Sicard
162
Jose
Goncalves
163
Tanel
Kangert
164
Morgan
Kneisky
156th
165
Jocelin
Maillet
99th
123rd
166
Florian
Morizot
95th
167
Branislav
Samoilev
32nd
58th
168
Romain
Vanderbiest
120th
110th
116th
126th
1
169
Jukka
Vastaranta
91st
119th
Romain Sicard’s Major 2013 Results:
8th overall – Giro d’Italia
8th overall – Criterium du Dauphine
Team Overview:
Here for his first Tour de France is Romain Sicard, the young French hope for GC. He has put in strong performances at tough races this year, like the Giro, and that bodes well for a top 10. He can climb well enough, is a strong puncheur and is a decent enough TTist... and he isn’t even done developing! Not only that but having the French home crowds cheering him on could lift him that little bit more.
This is a very solid team who can do everything quite well. Romain Vanderbiest will be looking to add to his one stage victory in the Tour. Jukka Vastaranta provides a solid secondary sprint option, particularly for hilly stages. Jocelin Maillet and Tanel Kangert provide the help in the mountains while the latter of these and a couple of other riders provide enough help for the TTT.
In Summary:
A great all-round team headed by a young French stage racer – what more could you want? A comfortable top 10 overall is my prediction.
Pro Team Venchi – Sugoi
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
SW
171
Fabio
Duarte
53rd
15th
57th
172
Maciej
Bodnar
173
Gianluca
Brambilla
174
Claudio
Corioni
112th
147th
175
Sergio
Marinangeli
142nd
103rd
134th
1
176
Daniel
Oss
177
Peter
Sagan
178
Greg
Van Avermaet
140th
148th
179
Sep
Vanmarcke
Fabio Duarte’s Major 2013 Results:
None
Team Overview:
Let’s not mince words, this hasn’t been the best season for this team and they find themselves facing a really tough relegation battle. Their problem here is the leadership of Fabio Duarte who, as his results show, is very uncertain – you don’t know if he will be 15th or 50th. His lack of any top 10s on GC this season also doesn’t fill with confidence. Any medium mountain or hilly stages will see him really suffer, but he can thankfully perform well in the bigger mountains.
Gianluca Brambilla provides some solid mountain support and might also shepherd him during the hilly stages. Claudio Corioni and Greg Van Avermaet are also both here as sprinters, so if (when?) something goes wrong for Duarte here, there is still a plan B. The TTT will be a real problem as beyond Duarte and Maciej Bodnar there are no TT riders here.
In Summary:
If Duarte can ride well, this could be a solid race for Venchi and could give them some valuable points. If, however, he does not do well, it could be a long three weeks.
Koenigsegg
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
SW
181
Raúl
Granjel Cabrera
117th
117th
3
182
Jakub
Danacik
94th
89th
183
Jacob
Fiedler
124th
DNF
184
Freddy
Johansson
DNF
185
Cameron
Meyer
162nd
170th
DNF
186
Martin
Mortensen
145th
187
Serge
Pauwels
81st
188
Walter
Pedraza
36th
15th
189
Alexander
Wetterhall
Raul Granjel Cabrera’s Major 2013 Results:
3rd Stage 14 – Vuelta a Espana
Team Overview:
By anyone’s estimation Raul Granjel Cabrera had a great Tour last year with multiple stage wins, but this year he has been rather poor. He has been on the podium only three times and he has no wins so far. He is better over the hills than most of his competitors so he could do alright here in the right circumstances.
Cameron Meyer is here to lead out Granjel Cabrera. It is also worth spending a moment talking about Walter Pedraza who leads the team’s GC efforts. He is best in the high mountains, but he struggles against the clock and could be better on the hills. The team also seems to be focussing quite heavily on the TTT, with Jakub Fiedler, Freddy Johansson and Jakub Danacik being the noteworthy riders in that discipline.
In Summary:
Between Granjel Cabrera and Pedraza this looks like a team with all bases covered – they will surely be present in one way or another everywhere.
Aker – MOT
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
SW
191
Daryl
Impey
DNF
192
Lorents Ola
Aasvold
193
John-Lee
Augustyn
85th
194
Joseph
Biziyaremye
195
Nathan
Haas
196
Remberto
Jaramillo
197
Anders
Lund
198
Lars Petter
Nordhaug
199
Kobe
Vanoverschelde
DNF
DNF
Daryl Impey’s Major 2013 Results:
Stage Win – Vuelta a Espana
Team Overview: Daryl Impey will surely be on a bit of a high here after his surprise stage win at the Vuelta. He showed there that being able to climb is a huge advantage for a sprinter and will be hoping to use that to his advantage. If others are eliminated by time, or simply dropped from the peloton, he will be there to pick up the scraps at the end of the stage.
Kobe Vanoverschelde provides a more typical second sprint option for the pan-flat stages and it will be interesting to see how these two juggle their ambitions. John-Lee Augustyn also provides a decent option for breaks in the climbs and could well be enough of an outsider to get a bit of leeway from the peloton. It is also worth noting that there are exactly zero TT riders on this team.
In Summary:
Impey provides a great option for the tougher sprint stages and could well find the lack of punchy sprinters here to his liking.
Pendleton’s Twicer
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
SW
201
Bernhard
Kohl
9th
1
202
Ivan Mauricio
Casas
203
Philip
Deignan
48th
60th
67th
94th
204
Thomas
Faiers
205
Ruben
Ibanez
206
Tim
Kennaugh
207
Matthieu
Ladagnous
113th
118th
127th
208
Carlos
Oyarzun
209
Bradley
Wiggins
95th
Bernhard Kohl’s Major 2013 Results:
3rd overall – Tour de Suisse
Team Overview:
The Australian Bernhard Kohl is a solid climber and it is strange to see him this far down the start list. Regardless of where he starts, he should still be in the fight for a top 10 place. He can’t TT very well and he is a little bit suspect on the hills, but he should be able to latch on brilliantly in the mountains, as his solid third place at Tour de Suisse shows.
Thomas Faiers provides a great second GC options, who can support his leader through the race. That’s about where the climbing support ends, however. There’s quite a bit of TTT support though, with Bradley Wiggins being the most noteworthy rider here. Still, pretty much the whole team can time trial.
In Summary:
Kohl should be around the top 10 come the end of the race, but will need to do it in the mountains. Solid and consistent riding should be enough.
Simply Red Bull
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
SW
211
Juan
Van Heerden
136th
212
George
Bennett
213
Joseph
Cooper
100th
214
Mauro
Facci
111th
215
Adil
Jelloul
75th
216
Ran
Margaliot
91st
217
Amaël
Moinard
41st
82nd
67th
218
Tom
Stubbe
219
Timothy
Vangheel
Juan Van Heerden’s Major 2013 Results:
3rd Stage 2 – Giro d’Italia
Team Summary:
This reminds me a lot of the team which Jayco came here with last year – everyone is a potential stage hunter with no huge standout. Juan Van Heerden comes as their sprint leader but he just isn’t good enough to really compete for a podium in most sprints so will be scraping lower positions. He could do alright in some of the slightly lumpier stages, though.
There aren’t any TTT riders here, but that might not be a huge disadvantage for a team who are chasing breaks right from the beginning. They also made a real effort to be the lowest ranking team at the Vuelta and might take aim at the same here
In Summary:
These guys will want to be in the break pretty much every day, and with a number of guys with a good kick they could well see a decent result.
---------------
So with these modern-day gladiators ready to kick off the biggest race of teh season, who do you think will win?
Thanks for the awesome preview Count, was eagerly waiting for it.
Looks like Abal does have a realistic chance a top 10 looking at the climbers that showed up along with the support of Anton. If that happens and we pick up a stage win I will consider this season a success even if we do drop to the depths of the CT division.
Wow, that Pokerstars team is the line-up surprise of the season for me...not trying to sound arrogant, but Dumoulin and Dupont is probably their weakest sprint train all season long?
Plus the fact that I 100% expected Boonen and/or Swift to be here,..
So without checking the db, I think our sprint train is the best by far.
7 sprint finishes are possible, let's give one to a break and take 50% of the rest to satisfy me.
The pretty packed top of the GC riders might spread the points so evenly between them (+ some breaks like in the Vuelta) that Bennati might have a serious shot at green.
The absence of Trofimov and Phinney helps a lot as well. Cunego and Pluchkin might be contesting the sprints though.
Great preview. Got to say I expected a slightly stronger field, but then those who are missing (Phinney, Contador, Spilak) have done well elsewhere. Coppel to wear yellow at some point is my only prediction.
I hope for some breaks here, maybe a long mountain break from Ratiy that results in wearing the mountain jersey and winning a stage, that would be great Other than that, I sent Ratiy/Castenada/Sieberg for the posibility of something, then I got the rest for experience
I'd like/need a top 5. Fortuitously I think I got the team makeup right for this result, rather than splitting the roster between a sprinter and GC rider.
What a big fat preview, really nice.
Thank you very much for making the antipiciation of the first stage even worse
I hope Cunego can win the Tour but have to say that it will be harder this time.
In any TT he will lose some time so he needs to get those big mountain stages.
Very crucial race for the team as if we fail it will be (very) hard to stay at the ProTour.
Team Bianchi - 2012 Man-Game ProContinental Tour Champions
Le Tour de France – 2013 
Other than that, I sent Ratiy/Castenada/Sieberg for the posibility of something, then I got the rest for experience 
