The 110th edition of the Tour de France, among all the questions that will accompany us until Paris there is also the one regarding the green jersey. Last year Van Aert won with a 194 point advantage over PhilipsenWho will win it? Will it still be a hunting ground for the Belgian (who opened the podium in Paris in 2022) or will it return to the shoulders of a sprinter?
We talk about it with Alexander Petacchi, last Italian to win the green jersey, in 2010The former sprinter will follow this Tour from home and then fly to Glasgow to comment on the World Cup with RAI.
“Green” memories
«A few years have passed since that 2010 Tour – says Petacchi – but the memories become more vivid as the Grande Boucle approachesIn recent years I have also done reconnaissance and I happened to pass through certain places and cities that I had also passed through that year. Standing on the podium on the Champs Elysées has an incredible charm, it leaves something indescribable inside you. That podium remains the most special in the cycling world, reliving memories and photos is always beautiful."
In that Tour you fought for the green jersey with Cavendish, who will be at the start in Bilbao today…
I remember the Paris stage well, I was wearing the green jersey, but I had to be careful, because Cavendish only needed a few points to overtake meIt was a difficult day, but I managed to sprint well: I lost, but I kept the green jersey.
Can Cavendish fight for the green jersey this year?
He is not the first favorite, I would put it among those with four starsHe arrives at the Tour with the goal of his 35th victory: to surpass Merckx, he only needs one victory. Now there are many young and strong sprinters, but he is always able to pull the rabbit out of the hatJust think about 2021, he arrived without great ambitions, he won four stages and the green jersey.
Is the course a little more suitable for sprinters this year?
The chances are higher of seeing a pure sprinter in the green jersey in Paris. However the condition must be more than at its maximumOf course, those who go to the Tour feel good, but sometimes even that's not enough.
Who's your favorite tour?
It depends on his and the team's objectives, but above all I would say Van Aert. He can win or at least score points in group sprintsAnd he could even put up a show like last year's in Calais... But there's one unknown...
What?
The team. vingegaard he is racing to win the Tour and they will have to support him as best they can, Van Aert himself will have to put himself at his service. He did so last year too, but it's not always easy to manageThe Belgian is certainly strong everywhere, even uphill, but in some stages the sprinters could take a breather and recover, while he will work for the team.
Let's move on to the sprinters, who do you see as the favorites for the green jersey?
Philipsen it is the most popular, considering the support it will have from Van Der PoelHaving a rider of his caliber as a “pilot fish” can bring out something beautiful.
Others?
The strongest sprinter in the world: Jacobsen. If he's in shape he really has something incredible. In his case the whole team will work for him., so he'll have good support. Although it must be said that he suffers a lot in the mountains, just remember the Peyragudes stage. when you are ten seconds out of timeThen there would be Groenewegen, also a pure sprinter.
It's a Tour that starts off very tough right away.
The first stages will be important, especially the first and second. The route is not suitable for sprinters and If a man like Van Aert were to already take the green jersey it might be difficult to take it away from him.
