This German-Polish coalition is headed by two foreigners. Gavin Mannion will be tackling the climbs whilst MG legend Ivano Lo Cicero takes aim at the sprints. Now aged 35, the Italian is well and truly at the tail end of his career. He'll need the right wheel and quite a bit of luck if he is to get anything in this field. Mannion is a former stage winner, albeit all the way back in 2017; he also took 2nd overall that year. Unfortunately things have moved on and I expect his previous two results - 14th ('19) and 12th ('22) - to be much more representative. Perhaps Eryk Laton can be persuaded to join a breakaway?

Tom Scully hasn't had as prestigious a career as Lo Cicero, but his is still a recognisable name for those who have spent their time watching .2 sprints. He hasn't come to Venezuela in recent years so there is little to work from in that regard but given he too has begun his decline I can't see him as anything more than an outsider for the points classification. Shalunov and Costagli also don't inspire much joy, Shalunov isn't aggressive enough to definitely join the breakaways and Costagli doesn't have the skillset necessary to capitalise on them. Maybe one of Jakub Skala or Adam Phelan can get some TV time on the flatter days...

Mikel Iturria is a solid rider and secured BME 6th in the general classification last year. Remy Rochas is an excellent lieutenant who, barring his poor TTing, can also chase results in his own right (18th in '22). Tatarinov, Berthet and Weinstein tagging along ensures that there will be plenty of support in the mountains. Weinstein will be taking aim at the final day's TT but could also surprise on Stage 6. Guerao is another aging sprinter who will have to be content with picking up whatever points he can.

Caja Rural had an excellent time in Venezuela during their inaugural season. Alongside victory in the teams classification, Aberlardo Ablenado secured a stage win to go along with his general classification podium. The additions of Daniel Munoz and Florian Scheit mean that they'll be even stronger when it comes to going uphill. Without anybody for the sprints they'll be looking to get somebody into the breakaway over the first few days.

Instead of trying to complete his collection of Grand Tour stage wins in this years Giro d'Italia, William Chiarello has arrived to dominate the 2.2 calendar. He has to be one of the favourites to take the overall win, with just one caveat: he has no support. Felix English and Albert Kireva should be more than capable of bringing anybody back in the valleys but they will struggle to stick with Chiarello over any of the big climbs. The queen stage on day eight will be the biggest danger. Liepins is also along to try and pick up some extra points from the opening sprints.

There is no denying that APP is an excellent rider and a marquee signing for any team, I am just not sure that 10 days in Táchira is the right choice. Most of the climbs are long and steady, summit finishes without much descending, the exact opposite of the sharp, punchy racing which APP prefers. Somewhere in the Top 10 is probably a realistic result, even accounting for his abilities on the TT-bike. Jiang is here to contest the sprints without any great expectations.

Sindre Skjostad Lunke scored 6th in the 2020 edition whilst sharing leadership with Magnus Cort Nielsen (8th). He returns as the sole leader for Gjensidige and, with the support of Jacobsen and Rosskopf, will be taking aim at going one better and breaching the Top 5. Adomaitis Rojus has completed his development and should benefit from the weaker field to chase his first pro-level results, although he won't get the best use of his prologuing this time out.

One of the Continental Tour's numerous journeyman sprinters, Alexander Krieger has enjoyed a decent amount of success in Táchira. He'll be looking to build on stage victories from 2015 and 2021 in a sprint field that is just slightly weaker than in years past. Tsgabu Grmay is the name to watch when it comes to the mountains, it will be a great success if he can repeat his sixth-place from 2018 but a Top 10 finish shouldn't be unrealistic.

He's begun his decline, but Natnael Berhane is still a force to be reckoned with. With the support of Heymes and Koep, he'll be aiming to be Chiarello's biggest competitor. The only concern ought to be how much time he'll lose in the final day's timetrial. The Eritrean isn't the only thing that JEWA TIROL brings to the table however. Ivano Lo Cicero and John Degenkolb going head-to-head? This race might as well be taking place in the late 2010s. Thomas Boudat has shown that he is a great sprinter in his own right but his leadout credentials aren't quite as settled. Looking at the complete absence of a third man, perhaps the aim is more a dual-threat than a true train.

Aside from Andersson, the Coyotes have brought quite a strong Latin American squad to the best Latin American stage race. Luis Enrique Lemus Davila isn't a name that stands out, although his star might've been dulled by domestique duties throughout his career. He's got big shoes to fill with the retirement of Andrei Amador, who scored 6th for this team in '21. Gaspar should provide excellent support. In contrast, Gabriel Marin is already quite familiar with both the team and the parcours; he scored the team's maiden victory in Stage 5 two years ago. Given the Costa Rican probably isn't a favourite and won't have the benefit of a sprint train we will likely get to enjoy the sight of Murillo in the early breakaways.

If Podium Ambition's Caribbean sunset jersey isn't your favourite in this year's peloton then you ought to get your eyes checked. Thankfully, we can expect them to do more than just look good this season. The homegrown Kristian Vanderpool should have a good crack at taking Stage 10 but the biggest excitement will be the intrateam contest between O'Connor and Canty. Although the former benefits from a lighter frame, and thus easier ascents, the latter has more of a punch and better aero when it comes to the TTs. Making a run at the Top 10 is in reach for either Aussie (although probably not both); they'll need a good result if they're going to snag Ewan's place as best Aussie. That, or the can start fundraising outside Bunnings.

Fabio Aru has seen some limited success in Táchira, nearly a decade ago. That shouldn't produce too much concern, as it will probably be Ciccone who takes the lead for the team. He'll be one of the many riders chasing the limited set of Top 10s. Sending Sonny Colbrelli and Dan McLay to the same race probably wasn't the best idea. McLay is the stronger of the pair, but there is no chance of him receiving a leadout; not that there is the requisite third man to build one anyway.

Most of the time ProContinental teams begrudge their mandated .2 race days and send developmental squads to make up the numbers. Sometimes their managers will have targeted a specific rider to take up the leader's mantle at the lower levels. This eclectic bunch might well be the strongest squad in attendance by a fair margin. Piter Campero won the 2021 edition and followed it up with a Top 5 in 2022. Nawuti Liphongyu has improved year-on-year to reach the Top 10 in '22. Dulanjana and Chhetri have also scored points in previous editions. A Top 5, a stage win and the polkadots wouldn't be an unrealisable haul for this lot.

Don't let the fact that Timofey Kritskiy is on the teamsheet fool you, his isn't the name to be watching out for. If they are sensible, neither Jaramillo nor Manfredi will chase the GC; instead they should aim to take stage wins from the breakaway. Habtom might end up receiving a train by mere virtue of having the necessary pieces; even with that benefit he probably doesn't have the raw pace to challenge the better sprinters. The potential of Hermans and Gogl as baroudeurs will be hampered by the two other sections.

Breakaways will be name of the game and the Albanians have come well equipped. Marildo Yzeiraj should be very aggressive and, if the sprinters' teams aren't watchful or Lampaert and Allegaert make it bridge away alongside him, he might be able to snatch a win before we reach the mountains. There Freuler, Wohrer and McCutcheon will need to take over. Although they might not be as plucky as Yzeiraj, their directeur sportif ought to be urging them into the break at every available occasion. Their success thereafter will depend on whether any of the better climbers are allowed to join them.

Inigo Elosegui is a lock-in for the youth classification and, with his excellent athleticism, might have a chance at a Top 10 overall. Most of the team is geared to support him, although Lehtinen and La Lavandier will be the two most important domestiques. Then there is Tom Dumoulin and Riccardo Minali. The former will be targeting Stage 10, the latter will have his eyes on the sprints. The front-loading of the flat days means the Italian won't be able to make the most of his strong recovery, but he should still be in contention despite that.