Archiv für den Tag: 1. Juli 2022

109. Tour de France – 1. Etappe: Copenhagen – ITT – 13,20 Km

Ergebnisse, Etappenrennen, Teamnews, , , , ,


@ASO – Pauline Ballet

1 LAMPAERT Yves BEL QUICK-STEP ALPHA VINYL TEAM 00:15:17
2 VAN AERT Wout BEL JUMBO – VISMA 00:05
3 POGACAR Tadej SLO UAE TEAM EMIRATES 00:07
4 GANNA Filippo ITA INEOS GRENADIERS 00:10
5 VAN DER POEL Mathieu NED ALPECIN – DECEUNINCK 00:13
6 PEDERSEN Mads DEN TREK – SEGAFREDO 00:15
7 VINGEGAARD Jonas DEN JUMBO – VISMA 00:15
8 ROGLIC Primož SLO JUMBO – VISMA 00:16
9 MOLLEMA Bauke NED TREK – SEGAFREDO 00:17
10 TEUNS Dylan BEL BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS 00:20
11 NIELSEN Magnus Cort DEN EF EDUCATION – EASYPOST 00:21
12 JUNGELS Bob LUX AG2R CITROEN TEAM 00:23
13 YATES Adam GBR INEOS GRENADIERS 00:23
14 KÜNG Stefan SUI GROUPAMA – FDJ 00:23
15 PIDCOCK Thomas GBR INEOS GRENADIERS 00:24
16 TRATNIK Jan SLO BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS 00:25
17 MATTHEWS Michael AUS TEAM BIKEEXCHANGE-JAYCO 00:25
18 THOMAS Geraint GBR INEOS GRENADIERS 00:25
19 KÄMNA Lennard GER BORA – HANSGROHE 00:25
20 CATTANEO Mattia ITA QUICK-STEP ALPHA VINYL TEAM 0

BORA – hansgrohe bleibt in Schlagdistanz nach verregnetem Auftaktzeitfahren der Tour de France

Zum Auftakt der Tour de France 2022 in Kopenhagen musste heute ein etwa 13 Kilometer langes Einzelzeitfahren absolviert werden. Durch regennasse Straßen war der Kurs technisch sehr herausfordernd und für BORA – hansgrohe ging es vor allem darum, heute ohne Sturz durchzukommen. Aleksandre Vlasov war einer der ersten Starter und beendete das Rennen in einer Zeit von 15:49 am Ende auf Rang 21, rund 30 Sekunden hinter dem Etappensieger Y. Lampaert. Lennard Kämna war BORA – hansgrohe’s bestplatzierter Fahrer in 15:43 auf Rang 19.

Von der Ziellinie
“Ich bin zu Beginn wirklich sehr vorsichtig gefahren. Nach ein paar Kilometern habe ich mich etwas sicherer gefühlt. Auf den Geraden konnte ich ganz gut drücken, die Beine waren gut, aber nicht perfekt. Ich denke, das war eine solide Leistung, sicher nicht mein bestes Zeitfahren, aber ein sehr gutes.” – Lennard Kämna

“Das war heute die erste Etappe und wir haben ein langes Rennen vor uns, darum habe ich kein Risiko genommen. Auf den Geraden konnte ich einen großen Gang drücken und meine Beine waren wirklich sehr gut. Wenn man sich meine Zeit im Vergleich zu den anderen Favoriten ansieht, dann ist alles im grünen Bereich. Ich bin also happy, wie der Auftakt gelaufen ist..” – Aleksandre Vlasov

“Ich denke, das war ein guter Tag für uns. Klar, wir hätten mit mehr Risiko sicher schneller fahren, aber durch einen Sturz auch alles verlieren können. Dieses Risiko sind wir bewusst nicht eingegangen. Wir sind dennoch in der Gesamtwertung gut dabei und mit Lenni, Aleks, Max und Patrick in einer guten Ausgangsposition. Jetzt warten erst mal ein paar hektische Etappen und dann werden wir unseren Standort neu bestimmen. Aber der Auftakt war absolut ok.” – Rolf Aldag, sportlicher Leiter

Royal Lampaert
Tour de France 2022 | Stage 1 | Copenhague > Copenhague

Belgian farmer Yves Lampaert created a huge surprise to be crowned in Copenhagen instead of his star compatriot Wout van Aert who had won his duel against Filippo Ganna before it stopped raining in the Danish capital. He’s the first Belgian to take the Maillot Jaune since Greg Van Avermaet in 2018 and the fourth from his cycling mad country to win the inaugural time trial of the Tour de France after Eddy Merckx, victor of three prologues (in 1970, 1972 and 1974), Freddy Maertens (1976) and Eric Vanderaerden (1983).
Flamme Rouge / Last KM – Etape 1 / Stage 1 – #TDF2022

VAN DER POEL EARLY ON THE HOT SEAT
Stefan Bissegger, the first stage favourite in action, crashed twice, so he didn’t better the time of Dutch national champion for ITT Bauke Mollema who clocked 15’34’18“, which made an average speed of 50.878km/h. His time was bettered by 3’’56 by his compatriot Mathieu van der Poel (av.: 51.097km/h). First of the GC favourites to take the start, Primoz Roglic rode under the rain and didn’t make the hot seat as he was 2’’55 slower than MVDP. Stefan Küng and Geraint Thomas were seemingly hampered by the pouring rain as they didn’t approach the performance the leader of Alpecin-Deceuninck. Wout van Aert (1’’18), Filippo Ganna (2’’53) and Tadej Pogacar (6’’47) were also behind van der Poel at the half way point.

IT SEEMED DONE FOR WOUT VAN AERT
The three top guns increased their speed in the second half of the race to set a new provisional top 3: van Aert in the lead (av. speed: 51.540km/h), Pogacar in second place two seconds behind and Ganna third at five seconds, leaving van der Poel in fourth. It made a difference of nine seconds between Pogacar and Roglic, the two hot favourites for the overall victory, which was possibly the difference between the drizzle and the pouring rain that the two Slovenians experienced respectively. As the biggest names had completed the course, it seemed like a third stage victory in a row for van Aert after the Libourne to Saint-Emilion time trial and the Champs-Elysées bunch sprint last year, but the rained stopped and the road dried up slowly. His French team-mate Christophe Laporte set the best intermediate time but crashed later on.

YVES LAMPAERT SURPRISES EVERYONE
A double Belgian champion for individual time trial (2017, 2021) and recent winner of the ITT at the Belgium Tour before his disqualification for dangerous behaviour in the last stage, Yves Lampaert took advantage of the new racing conditions to oust his compatriot from the hot seat as he clocked in 15’17’’76, five seconds faster than van Aert, at the average speed of 51.821km/h. The teams had chosen to get their star riders going early as they believed the weather conditions would worsen, but it went the other way round. However, none of the 71 riders who competed after Lampaert proved to be a threat for the stage victory. Another Belgian, Dylan Teuns, was the only one to enter the top 10 (10th).
© ASO

Giro d’Italie Donne – 1. Etappe: Cagliari ITT – 4,75 Km und 2. Etappe

Ergebnisse, Etappenrennen, Frauenradsport, , , , ,

2. Etappe:Villasimius – Tortolì – 107 Km

1 BALSAMO Elisa ITA TREK – SEGAFREDO 02:39:13
2 VOS Marianne NED TEAM JUMBO-VISMA 00:00
3 KOOL Charlotte NED TEAM DSM 00:00
4 KOPECKY Lotte BEL TEAM SD WORX 00:00
5 CONSONNI Chiara FRA VALCAR – TRAVEL & SERVICE 00:00
6 BARBIERI Rachele ITA LIV RACING XSTRA 00:00
7 BAKER Georgia AUS TEAM BIKEEXCHANGE – JAYCO 00:00
8 BASTIANELLI Marta ITA UAE TEAM ADQ 00:00
9 ZANARDI Silvia ITA BEPINK 00:00
10 TEUTENBERG Lea Lin GER CERATIZIT-WNT PRO CYCLING 00:00
11 FAHLIN Emilia SWE FDJ NOUVELLE-AQUITAINE FUTUROSCOPE 00:00
12 LELEIVYTĖ Rasa LTU AROMITALIA – BASSO BIKES – VAIANO 00:00
13 NORSGAARD Emma DEN MOVISTAR TEAM 00:00
14 LONGO BORGHINI Elisa ITA TREK – SEGAFREDO 00:00
15 ALZINI Martina ITA COFIDIS WOMEN TEAM 00:00

Gesamt:

1 BALSAMO Elisa ITA TREK – SEGAFREDO 02:44:54
2 FAULKNER Kristen USA TEAM BIKEEXCHANGE – JAYCO 00:04
3 BAKER Georgia AUS TEAM BIKEEXCHANGE – JAYCO 00:08
4 KOPECKY Lotte BEL TEAM SD WORX 00:10
5 VOS Marianne NED TEAM JUMBO-VISMA 00:12
6 LONGO BORGHINI Elisa ITA TREK – SEGAFREDO 00:13
7 VAN VLEUTEN Annemiek NED MOVISTAR TEAM 00:14
8 BRAND Lucinda GER TREK – SEGAFREDO 00:14
9 MARKUS Riejanne NED TEAM JUMBO-VISMA 00:15
10 THOMAS Leah USA TREK – SEGAFREDO 00:16
11 KOSTER Anouska NED TEAM JUMBO-VISMA 00:16
12 NORSGAARD Emma DEN MOVISTAR TEAM 00:16
13 LABOUS Juliette FRA TEAM DSM 00:20
14 BRAUßE Franziska GER CERATIZIT-WNT PRO CYCLING 00:20
15 KOOL Charlotte NED TEAM DSM 00:21

1. Etappe ITT 4,75km

1 FAULKNER Kristen USA TEAM BIKEEXCHANGE – JAYCO 00:05:46
2 BAKER Georgia AUS TEAM BIKEEXCHANGE – JAYCO 00:04
3 BALSAMO Elisa ITA TREK – SEGAFREDO 00:06
4 KOPECKY Lotte BEL TEAM SD WORX 00:06
5 LONGO BORGHINI Elisa ITA TREK – SEGAFREDO 00:09
6 VAN VLEUTEN Annemiek NED MOVISTAR TEAM 00:09
7 BRAND Lucinda NED TREK – SEGAFREDO 00:10
8 MARKUS Riejanne NED TEAM JUMBO-VISMA 00:11
9 THOMAS Leah USA TREK – SEGAFREDO 00:11
10 KOSTER Anouska NED TEAM JUMBO-VISMA 00:11
11 NORSGAARD Emma DEN MOVISTAR TEAM 00:12
12 HANSON Lauretta AUS TREK – SEGAFREDO 00:12
13 VOS Marianne NED TEAM JUMBO-VISMA 00:14
14 LABOUS Juliette FRA TEAM DSM 00:15
15 BRAUßE Franziska GER CERATIZIT-WNT PRO CYCLING 00:16

Deutsche Nachwuchsfahrer erhalten Einladung für die Deutschland Tour

Etappenrennen, Vorschau, ,

Saris Rouvy Sauerland Team, Team Lotto – Kern Haus, Team Dauner | Akkon und eine deutsche Nationalauswahl starten bei der Deutschland Tour. Sie erhalten eine Einladung zu Deutschlands wichtigstem Radrennen und ergänzen die 16 internationalen WorldTeams und ProTeams.

Das Saris Rouvy Sauerland Team beeindruckt derzeit in der Rad-Bundesliga. Die Mannschaft ist gleich mit vier Fahrern in den Top5 vertreten. Mit Jon Knolle führt sie die Tabelle an. Nach 2018 und 2021 erhalten die Sauerländer zum dritten Mal eine Einladung zur Deutschland Tour.

Für die Teams Lotto – Kern Haus und Dauner | Akkon ist es bereits die vierte Teilnahme bei der Deutschland Tour. Lotto – Kern Haus überzeugte in der ersten Saisonhälfte sowohl in der Bundesliga, wo das Team mit Jan Hugger den Zweitplatzierten stellt, als auch bei internationalen Rennen der Elite- und Nachwuchskategorie. Mit dem Gewinn der Gesamtwertung der Rad-Bundesliga setzte Dauner | Akkon in der vergangenen Saison ein Ausrufezeichen.

Zusätzlich zu den drei UCI Continental Teams nominiert der Bund Deutscher Radfahrer eine Nationalmannschaft für die Deutschland Tour. Sie gibt Nachwuchsfahrern aus weiteren deutschen Kontinental-Mannschaften die Möglichkeit, gemeinsam mit den weltbesten Profis zu fahren. Wie im Vorjahr wird das Team von einem deutschen WorldTour-Profi angeführt. Der Freiburger Simon Geschke tritt die Nachfolge von John Degenkolb an und übernimmt die Kapitänsrolle für die Kontinental-Fahrer.

Die Deutschland Tour findet vom 24. bis zum 28. August statt. An fünf Renntagen führt die Strecke über 710 Kilometer von Weimar nach Stuttgart. Erstmals hat die Rundfahrt einen Prolog und eine Bergankunft im Programm.

Teams der Deutschland Tour 2022:

UCI WorldTeams
• AG2R Citroën Team
• Bahrain-Victorious
• BORA – hansgrohe
• EF Education – Easypost
• INEOS Grenadiers
• Intermaché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux
• Israel – Premier Tech
• Jumbo-Visma
• Lotto Soudal
• Movistar Team
• Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team
• Team DSM
• Trek – Segafredo
• UAE Team Emirates

UCI ProTeams
• Alpecin-Fenix
• B&B Hotels – KTM

UCI Continental Teams
• Saris Rouvy Sauerland Team
• Team Dauner | Akkon
• Team Lotto – Kern Haus
• Deutsche Nationalmannschaft

Tour de France makes debut in Singapore with Mark Cavendish

Kriterium und Rundstreckenrennen, Tour de France, Vorschau, ,

TOUR DE FRANCE MAKES DEBUT IN SINGAPORE WITH MARK CAVENDISH: PRUDENTIAL IS TITLE SPONSOR OF FIRST EVER TOUR DE FRANCE CRITERIUM EVENT IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Singapore will make history as the first Southeast Asian country to host a Tour de France criterium event, supported by leading life insurer Prudential Singapore (“Prudential”) as the event’s title sponsor.

The Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium marks the arrival of cycling’s most prestigious brand in the region. The race will take place from 29 to 30 October on a specially-designed street circuit in the heart of the city and features 32 riders from eight of the world’s best professional cycling teams including decorated British cyclist Mark Cavendish, who holds the joint record for the most Tour de France stage wins (34). Memorably, he secured four Tour de France stage wins last year. Cavendish is also widely regarded as the sport’s greatest sprinter, with four world titles (three in track cycling and one in road) and an Olympic silver medal.

Mark Cavendish said: “Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium marks a few firsts – a first Tour de France road race in Southeast Asia and a first race for me in this part of the world. Cycling has given me so much and is a great part of my life. It’s a privilege for me to do what I love and I’m looking forward to getting out there and to share the adrenaline, excitement and fun that comes with criterium racing.”

The Tour de France is the pinnacle of professional cycling – watched by over a billion viewers annually. Elite cyclists compete in a gruelling test as they cover an average of 3,500 kilometres over three weeks in their quest for sporting glory. In contrast, the Criterium is a shorter race on a closed circuit, which makes the format more suited to Singapore streets. The Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium race weekend will comprise races for both professionals and amateurs and is expected to reach millions of viewers through a variety of international broadcasters.

Tour de France Director Christian Prudhomme said: “The Tour de France Criterium is a cycling performance, showcasing the speed and intensity of cycling through a race on an inner-city circuit. The Criterium format allows us to bring an adaptation of the Tour to more places, while still retaining the essence and spirit of the Tour De France with top riders in the heart of the city.

“With the Tour de France Criterium, cycling becomes a cultural bridge, celebrating the Tour de France atmosphere in territories the race has not yet explored. Given Singapore’s geographical location and reputation for organising great events, not to mention its enthusiastic cycling community, it was a natural choice for introducing this Criterium format to the entire Southeast Asian region.It will be a very exciting first trip to Southeast Asia for the Tour de France, and we’re looking forward to sharing the experience with the community here.”

Commenting on being part of the inaugural Singapore Criterium, Mr Dennis Tan, Prudential Singapore’s CEO, said: “As a leading life insurer, we want to support Singaporeans in leading healthier lifestyles, so we can all live well for longer. We decided to promote cycling because it is an accessible and sustainable sport. This sponsorship is a great opportunity to encourage people and families from all walks of life to bond while staying healthy and active.”

The event is supported by the Singapore Tourism Board. Mr Keith Tan, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board said; “We are delighted to be the first Southeast Asian country to host the Tour De France Criterium, a premier sporting event that reinforces Singapore’s position as a leading destination for sports in the region. Cycling is an environmentally-friendly sport that is popular with locals and visitors, and events like this strongly align with Singapore’s sustainability goals, as well as our ambition to be an urban wellness haven. As we welcome more visitors to Singapore, it is also a timely addition to our exciting calendar of events.”

The Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium is being promoted by TEG Sport in conjunction with Evoke EXP.

Geoff Jones, Group CEO of TEG said: “TEG Sport is proud to be working with the iconic Tour de France brand on what will be a world-class and exclusive new major event for Southeast Asia. We look forward to welcoming some of world’s best professional cyclists to take part in the dynamic criterium format raced through spectacular central Singapore. Whether you’re a cycling enthusiast, a recreational rider or major events fan we encourage you to get involved in this exciting new event. On behalf of TEG Sport I’d like to thank the Singapore Tourism Board and Prudential Singapore for their partnership to bring this innovative global event to fruition.”

Visit singaporecriterium.com for more details on how to get involved and register your interest for the latest updates about the Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium. Latest updates are also available on Facebook and Instagram.
@ASO

3. Reither Kogel Trophy mit Olympiasiegerin Anna Kiesenhofer live auf K19

Jedermann-Rennen, Meisterschaften, Zeitfahren, ,

Das erfolgreiche Bergzeitrennen auf den Reither Kogel geht in die 3. Runde – und das gleich mit mehreren Highlights. So ist auch Olympiasiegerin Anna Kiesenhofer am Start. Auf K19.at gibt es am kommenden Sonntag alles live zu sehen!

Reith im Alpbachtal – Getreu dem Motto „Lass dich nicht stoppen“ fällt am Sonntag, den 3. Juli, um 9:30 Uhr der Startschuss für die dritte Auflage der Reither Kogel Trophy. Los geht es für die Heldinnen und Helden der Bergstraße im Dorfzentrum in Reith im Alpbachtal. Das Ziel ist der auf 1.211 Metern Höhe gelegene Nisslhof an der Bergstation der Reitherkogelbahn. Es sind sechs anspruchsvolle Kilometer und 560 Höhenmeter zu überwinden.

Rund 200 Hobbysportler und Radprofis starten im 30 Sekunden Takt von der Bühne im Dorfzentrum von Reith im Alpbachtal, um in Bestzeit den Hausberg zu bezwingen. Neben gut austrainierten HobbysportlerInnen sind dieses Jahr auch wieder Radprofis am Start.

Österreichische Meisterschaften Berg
Die Österreichischen Meisterschaften Berg werden heuer erstmalig in Reith im Alpbachtal ausgetragen. Die Reither Kogel Trophy hat sich in den letzten Jahren zu einem Highlight im Tiroler Radkalender entwickelt und lockt auch viele Hobbysportlerinnen und Hobbysportler an, die sich in diesem Jahr mit den besten Radsportlerinnen und -sportler Österreichs im direkten Vergleich messen können.

Olympiasiegerin Anna Kiesenhofer am Start
Das Starterfeld bietet in diesem Jahr gleich mehrere Top Namen. Der zweifache Weltmeister im Mountainbike Daniel Federspiel, der zweifache King oft the Lake-Sieger Julian Braun und niemand geringer als die amtierende Olympiasiegerin im Straßenrennen Anna Kiesenhofer messen sich am Sonntag am Reither Kogel.

Live dabei
Die Reither Kogel Trophy wird im TV sowie im Livestream übertragen, moderiert von K19 Moderator Martin Böckle und dem ehemaligen Rennradprofi Thomas Rohregger. Der beliebte Sportmoderator Othmar Peer übernimmt die Moderation vor Ort auf der Bühne. Begeisterte Zuseher und Fans können ihre Favoriten entlang der Strecke anfeuern.Tipp: Mit der Sommerbergbahn kommen Zuseher am einfachsten ins Zielgelände. Am Sonntag gelten Spezialpreise für die Fahrt mit der Reitherkogelbahn!

„Wir freuen uns nicht nur über die zahlreichen positiven Rückmeldungen zur Reither Kogel Trophy, sondern auch über den tollen Mix an namhaften Profisportlern auf unserer Starterliste,“, freut sich Radtreff Alpbachtal Obmann Peter Gschwentner.

Sonntag 3. Juli
Start: 9:15 Uhr
Ende: ca. 12:15 Uhr

Homepage: https://k19.at

———————————
Pressekontakt:
MR PR – Martin Roseneder
eMail: martin@mr-pr.at
Homepage: www.mr-pr.at

TOUR DE FRANCE: INFO WITH ONE DAY TO GO

Etappenrennen, Tour de France, Vorschau, ,

Key points:

 The 109th Tour de France, the 24th starting from abroad, begins with an individual time trial in Copenhagen. First rider on the ramp: Jérémy Lecroq at 16.00. Last rider to start: Marc Soler at 18.55.
 Mathieu van der Poel to hunt for the yellow jersey in the first week like last year.
 Tadej Pogacar feels stronger and more confident as he aims for the triple crown.

ENRIC MAS’ CONFIDENCE IS AT 10 OUT OF 10
There is no trident this year, not even a leading duo: Enric Mas is the unique leader of Movistar Team for the 2022 Tour de France. “I will have one more rider at my service to solve any problem”, said the Spaniard in a pre-race press conference. “We’re here to make the podium in Paris. At the confidence level, I’m at 10 out of 10…, or even more. The physical form has been good throughout the year, and it has been the falls that have deprived us of getting a good result in the races contested so far. Let’s hope the bad luck is over.” The rider from the Baleares didn’t manage to finish Tirreno-Adriatico and the Critérium du Dauphiné due to crashes. He went down on the last stage of the Itzulia Basque Country as well and lost a few places to end up ninth overall. “I improved my way of working and I trust my training at 100% now”, he added. “It is normal that Tadej Pogacar and Primoz Roglic are the references. If they focus too much on their duel, others will have to take advantage of it. However, we have to look for a result and I’m not going to attack just for the sake of attacking. The first week is very complicated. I’m very motivated by the pavé stage. We’ve recognized it two or three times. On that day, you can make as many differences as on the high mountain stages. For me it’s a new challenge, something to learn.”

VAN DER POEL SEES THE HUNT FOR THE YELLOW JERSEY MORE DIFFICULT THIS YEAR
Mathieu van der Poel is set to take part in his second Tour de France with the same kind of ambitions but a completely different run in. This year, he missed out on the early part of the season due to injury and completed his first Grand Tour with the Giro d’Italia in which he wore the pink jersey in the first three days. With a time trial to start with, it might be more complicated for the Dutchman to take the Maillot Jaune but he still believes in his chances. “Tomorrow, if I can put myself in the top 10 and do a good time trial then maybe there’s something possible again, but it’s going to be more difficult than it was one year ago. Last year, with the first two stages, the yellow jersey was really a big chance for me. I’ve made it so it’s a bit less of a stress factor. I just have to see what’s possible. I don’t know where I will be against specialists in a time trial, and if I lose 10 to 15 seconds, which would be a really good performance, then I can maybe try something in the days after, in the Roubaix stage or another one. I prefer to be in a breakaway than in the peloton but I will also be there some days to help Jasper [Philipsen] in the sprints. We’ll share the chances of winning stages.”

ROMAIN BARDET: THE COME-BACK
Romain Bardet hasn’t competed on French roads since the 2020 Paris-Tours he finished 7th on his last season with AG2R Citroen Team. He’s back to the Tour de France with Team DSM. “We’ve had a nice teams’ presentation that made me realise how much I missed the Tour last year. Now I appreciate the greatness of the Tour even more. I come back with an even greater desire through the eyes of a kid again.” Forced to pull out of the Giro on stage 13 while he was fourth overall, he resumes racing at the Tour. “I’m unsure of my level”, he admitted. “I’ve done my best at training but racing is a different story. So I’ll first evaluate where I’m at compared to the other riders and I’ll race offensively like we did last year at La Vuelta with the whole team.”

CHRIS FROOME FEELS “PRIVILEGED” TO RIDE HIS TENTH TOUR DE FRANCE
As his team Israel-Premier Tech launched a campaign “Help Fund the Field of Dreams” to support woman cycling in Rwanda, Chris Froome expressed his happiness to start his tenth Tour de France despite all the hiccups he went through since his horrendous crash in June 2019. “Getting to Paris last year was a huge accomplishment as I had to overcome quite a few hurdles”, the four-time winner of the Tour de France said, “but yesterday was just a whole new experience. Chapeau to Copenhagen for that team presentation. I feel privileged to be part of the race. Only the last few months I’ve been feeling issue-free for the first time in three years. From January to now, except for the sickness at the Dauphiné, I’m on an upwards trajectory. I haven’t had a chance to test myself properly in a race environment. It’s unknown where I am, but rest assured that I’m gonna give 100% and I’d like to rise the occasion to win a stage.” Both his team-mates Jakob Fuglsang and Michael Woods expressed the same desire to win a stage over riding for GC. The Dane mentioned the cobblestoned stage 5 that brings him memories from the 2014 Tour de France in which he finished second at Arenberg.

DEFENDING CHAMPION TADEJ POGACAR EXCITED TO AIM FOR TRIPLE CROWN
After winning the Tour de France in the past two years, Tadej Pogacar declared: “I’m excited to start the Tour again. Like at any other race I want to do my best. This is the biggest race of the calendar, I’m happy to be at the start to fight for the title. The preparation went well with an altitude training camp and the Tour of Slovenia. I think my shape is good, not too much different compared to last year. Maybe I feel more confident, I also feel stronger but we’ll see in the race if it’s true or not. There will be difficult moment but I hope that I won’t have a bad day. There’s a tricky first week with possible crosswinds on the flat, bridges and cobbles. If we manage to remain united as a team, we don’t need to ride aggressively, we just have to fight for positions. We’re ready for that so we shouldn’t be worried. Looking at the weather forecast, we have decided that I’d be the third rider from the team to start. This is the most comfortable way. I don’t think I can win it but I’ll give the maximum and I can go well. It’s not too long. As soon as there’s a chance to take the yellow jersey, everyone likes to that, myself included. You never say no to the yellow jersey!”

PETER SAGAN: “WHO SAID I’M NOT GOING FOR THE GREEN JERSEY?”
Superstar Peter Sagan is once again at the Tour de France but for the first time with French squad TotalEnergies. “Finally I’m here at the Tour de France after some complications”, the Slovakian said. “I’m glad that tomorrow we can start. The Tour de Suisse confirmed that my preparation has gone well and I’m still able to win. I don’t think I’m doing that bad… It’s hard to predict what will happen in the race. All we can expect is three weeks of hard racing. I’ll try and win some stages and do my best. We are here with a very good team. It’s a new team for me. The atmosphere is very nice and very relaxed. It’s important to have some good time in this period as Covid makes life difficult for everyone. The first time trial will decide who will be able to hunt for the yellow jersey in the second and third stages. I will try to lose the less time possible. After that we’ll see… After stage 4, we’ll have a very interesting stage with cobbles. Who said I’m not targeting the green jersey anymore? Not me for sure…”

@ASO