2022 Tour De France
After 12 months of waiting, it is time for the circus that is the Tour De France to commence once again. Taking place from Friday the 1st of July, the 109th edition culminates in Paris on Sunday the 24th.
There are two standout favourites to take the overall title in the 2022 Tour De France. Defending champion Tadej Pogacar and 2020 runner-up Primoz Roglic are the ones everyone will be watching. Jonas Vingegaard, who finished second last year could also realistically have a shot at the yellow jersey should his teammate Roglic falter. The Tour is rarely ever without drama! So all the riders will have to compete not only amongst themselves, but against factors outside of their control. Inclement weather, crashes and the Covid threat all could influence the outcome of this year’s race. As fans and spectators world over, we can only hope that the best person comes out on top at the end of the three gruelling weeks.
2022 Tour De France Route
The 2022 edition of ‘Le Tour’ begins with a short, flat time trial. The grand depart this year takes place in the city of Copenhagen, Denmark. After 3 relatively flat stages, the Tour moves from Denmark into France. Of the twenty-one stages, two are flat and thus primed for the sprinters within the peloton. There are seven hilly stages, where the breakaway will fancy their chances. The two-time trials bookend the race, with the 1st and 20th stage set for the specialists against the clock.
The fireworks are always expected when the race reaches the mountains. This year’s race has six mountainous stages, five of which include a mountain top finish. Returning to the race this year are the iconic climbs of Planche de Belle Filles, Alpe D’Huez, the Peyragudes and the Hautacam. Absent from the race for the past few editions, this year we see the return of a cobbled stage. Riders who consider themselves classics specialists will no doubt be looking forward to this day.
Past results and 2022 form
For the past two years nobody has been able to get the better of Tadej Pogacar. Winning the penultimate stage, and ultimately the Tour in 2020 was a surprise to most. However, it was a one man show in Tour De France 2021. Where nobody even came close to challenging Pogacar throughout the three weeks. 2019 winner Egan Bernal is still recovering from injuries sustained earlier this year. Two other previous winners lining up this year are Geraint Thomas and Chris Froome.
Thomas comes into the Tour on some good form- recently winning the Tour de Suisse for the first time. For Froome, this is his first appearance at the Tour since his horrific injury at the Criterium du Dauphine in 2019. While Froome’s GC exploits are a thing of the past, with a bit of luck he could potentially aim for a stage win this year in the 2022 Tour De France.
Aleksander Vlasov won the Tour de Romandie this year. This result no doubt serves as a confidence booster for the Bora rider. Primoz Roglic won his maiden Dauphine a few weeks ago. The event has been an important precursor to the Tour for multiple past champions. Roglic would love to continue this trend. Lastly, Pogacar has kept a low profile coming into the Tour. While winning the UAE Tour, Tirreno-Adriatico and Strade Bianche earlier this year, Pogacar opted for the lower profile Tour of Slovenia as is last race before the Tour. Winning comfortably, he also enters the race with winning momentum.
Le Tour De France Contenders
Favourites
On paper Pogacar is the out and out favourite, however there is a string of riders lining up to upset the defending champion. Aleksandr Vlasov, fourth in the Giro last year, enters the Tour in good shape. The overall winner of Romandie, as well as bagging a stage at the Tour de Suisse, Vlasov could eye a spot on the podium.
The pairing of Adam Yates and Geraint Thomas will also have their eyes on the podium. While not at the level of the Slovenians, if they are both in form, they could play the team card with Ineos teammate Dani Martinez.
Jonas Vingegaard, runner up to Pogacar last year is the dark horse. While widely believed to be support for Roglic, the Dane is a capable all-rounder who has impressed recently. Second at the Dauphine behind Roglic, Vingegaard could well take over as team leader should Roglic falter.
Outsiders
Ben O’Conner, Giulio Ciccone, Rigoberto Uran, and David Gaudu all have a top 10 GC in them. Sneaking into the top three would be icing on the cake.
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The biggest threat to Tadej Pogacar is Primoz Roglic. Multiple grand tour podium finisher. And winner of the last three editions of the Vuelta, Roglic has unfinished business at the Tour. Heartbreakingly losing the yellow jersey to Pogacar on the second last stage in 2020, the leader of Jumbo Visma has a formidable team to support him in this year’s bid for the title.
Tadej Pogacar is the favourite for good reason. Two-time defending champion, the 23-year-old is dangerous in all conditions. Comfortably winning in 2021, Pogacar also added two Monuments to his tally (winning both Liege-Bastogne-Liege and Il Lombardia). He has won both Tours that he has entered, and truth be told he has rarely been put under pressure. There is no reason he cannot add a third title to his name come the 24th of July.
Sprinters
Without the green jersey defending champion Mark Cavendish in the Tour the France, the race for the ‘sprinters’ classification is wide open. Fabio Jakobsen, Caleb Ewan, and Dylan Groenewegen are all in for a shot at stage glory. However, the most likely contenders for the green jersey will be Wout Van Aert, 7-time winner Peter Sagan, and Mads Pedersen. Fighting for the Polka dot jersey as king of the mountains is another extensive list of potential candidates. Pierre Rolland, Nairo Quintana, Warren Barguil, Romain Bardet and Thibaut Pinot will all be in the mix one would think. However, who finishes in yellow is always the main focus across the cycling world. Will it be a three-peat for the prodigal Pogacar, or will we have a new champion on the top step of the podium in Paris at the end of three weeks? We cannot wait to find out.
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