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| Hopefully we will be seeing this again in a few weeks |
So who better to preview the world’s greatest bike race than
a guy who can’t ride a bike? Frankly I’m not good at doing most of the sporting
activities I write about, but it doesn’t mean I don’t know stuff. You know what
they say... Those who can’t do; teach.
If you are reading this I’m going to at least assume you
know what the Tour de France is and that it takes about three weeks, has a
bunch of sprint stages and mountain stages as well as a prologue time trial and
an individual time trial that will decide the winner on the penultimate stage.
But this year some of the big names are out for various
reasons and I think we could be in for one of the most exciting Tours yet. Not
that they haven’t been enthralling in recent years anyway. In particular it’s a
great year to follow Le Tour as an Australian with not only Cadel Evans
returning to defend his title, but also for the first time ever, an Australian
team in OricaGreenEDGE will compete.
If Cadel manages to repeat as champion and we get some solid
performances from the GreenEDGE boys, plus other top Aussies on other teams, it
could be a banner year for our boys.
For those who haven’t been following the news before Le Tour
begins, don’t expect to see Alberto Contador or Andy Schleck competing with
Cadel for the Maillot Jaune this year, as Schleck is out injured with a broken
pelvis (OUCH!) and Contador, finally, has been banned from competition for
performance enhancing drugs. It took them a while to get rid of him, but at least
they got around to doing what we all knew had to happen eventually.
Also absent from Le Tour this year is the God of Thunder.
No, he isn’t missing due to promoting the Avengers, but rather, Thor Hushovd is
sick with a viral infection that also kept him out of the Giro d’Italia. I
don’t know any fan who doesn’t love Thor and the Tour will surely miss him.
The Manx Missile and Tour bad boy Mark Cavendish will be
there, but with the Olympics looming right after the Tour ends, many suspect he
won’t be competing as hard for stage wins and might even pull out early. Thus,
I personally have avoided him in the SBS Fantasy competition. Bit pricey for a
guy with his eyes on another prize if you ask me.
So who should you keep your eyes out for this year?
Well first and foremost it will be fascinating to see how
Cadel goes with the target on his back that comes with being the reigning
champion. Since moving to BMC, Cadel has a team that can actually support him,
even if not quite to the level of Team Sky. Whether or not he stands on the top
step of the podium in Paris again in 2012, Evans will surely be there or
thereabouts, barring injury or stray Labrador.
Many consider his main rival this year to be Britain’s
Bradley Wiggins. The three time Olympic gold medallist has been very
competitive in previous Tours without challenging for the title. But without
Schleck and Contador and with his current form and team, he is the standout
challenger to Cadel’s crown. In terms of Australian interests, two of Wiggins
best “domestiques” are Michael Rogers and Richie Porte. Both are great riders
in their own right and might have a crack at a stage win or two, but overall
their job will be to get Wiggins to the top of the podium.
Team GreenEDGE will be fascinating to watch in their first
tour. Simon Gerrans is a Tour veteran and I think you’ll hear his name quite a
lot during the Tour, whether it’s in breakaways or perhaps a decent performance
in the general classification. Also keep an eye on sprinter Matt Goss. Without
Thor there and with Cav possibly not competing as hard, the Green Jersey is
open to a field of sprinters. Goss is a real shot after finishing in second to
Cavendish at the 2011 World Championships.
But what about some other teams I pretend to hear you say...
Canadian Ryder Hesjedal has just won the Giro d’Italia and
is going to be very competitive if he isn’t exhausted after seeing the Italian
sights. I also have a huge wrap on Pierre Rolland, who as the lead domestique
for Thomas Voeckler last year showed he has what it takes to be a Tour
contender in his own right. Also watch out for Evans’ BMC teammate Philippe
Gilbert. He is more of a one-day classic specialist, but he did finish third in
the points classification last year and will be looking to win a stage or two.
If Sammy Sanchez can put in a decent time trial he is
another who will be looking to claim a podium spot and watch out for Estonian
Rein Taaramäe who was second to Rolland for best young rider last year.
Finally as always, during the time trials the big guns to
watch will be Fabian Cancellara and Tony Martin. Neither are expected to
challenge for the yellow jersey overall, but expect one of them to be wearing
it for about the first week or so.
So if you are still reading this and I haven’t put you to
sleep, I can’t wait to hear the wonderful voice of Phil Liggett and I’ll be
sure to write more as the great race unfolds.
À la prochaine.
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