A certainty of the next Tour de France is that Tadej pogacar it won't be the white jersey of Paris. After having won four in a row, the rider of the UAE Emirates in fact it will become big and this will leave space, precious space, for other riders.
With Enrico Gasparotto, sports director of Bora Hansgrohe, we tried to understand who the Slovenian's heirs could be, given that with Cian Uijtdebroeks he is called into question as regards the white shirts. The very young Belgian has in fact said that he wants to do well in the Giro and also in Italy there is a regular in the white jersey, Joao almeida.
Enrico, regardless of the plans, there are several possible names for the next white jerseys: Ayuso, Evenepoel, Pidcock, Carlos Rodriguez, Arensman, Uijterbroecks, Buitrago, Zana, Martinez…
If we talk about Tours I'll just say two: Remco Evenepoel e Carlos Rodriguez. They are undoubtedly the most likely, also because I don't know if Ayuso he's going to the Tour and even if he did go what would he do?
La UAE would she be focused on Tadej?
Exactly, but I also think about the Jumbo Visma.
That?
For them, repeating 2023 will be difficult and... they know it. They have a decisive and precise plan. This year they will clearly focus on the Tour, but they will also focus heavily on the classics. They want a monument, a Flanders, a Roubaix, which they still lack. Furthermore, they will not have Van Aert or Van Hooydonck, two key players. Returning to the topic of young riders, then, it will be an even more tempting opportunity for Pogacar. Ayuso would be more restricted. While Remco or Carlos Rodriguez would have more freedom. I believe that Carlos Rodriguez, fifth overall in 2023 (second in the white jersey, ed.), will be the captain of the team. Ineos-Grenadiers.
Rodriguez more than Pidcock?
For me, yes, pidcock he also has the classics in his head. We'll have to carefully consider his program and what he really wants from the Tour. But that doesn't mean he can't improve in the future. However, I still think Rodriguez and Remco are the top two contenders to succeed Pogačar in the white jersey. And I think Rodriguez has a better chance.
Why?
Why Evenepoel is not afraid to attack and this could perhaps pay off at some point in the Tour, both tactically and physically. While Rodriguez is more of a consistency rider, he rides more traditionally and is on a leading team for stage races.
As mentioned, we don't know all the players' plans, but let's say Ayuso goes to France. Don't you see him as a contender for the white jersey?
Numbers on paper yes, you can't say no, he's already won two at the Vuelta. But then you have to contextualize the situations and when you have Tadej in the team there are few personal objectives. This year was a special one: when they realized they wouldn't win the Tour, they tried, and succeeded, to put Adam Yates on the podium. An important result for the team, for the points.
Clear…
In general, all the names we mentioned at the beginning are valid but then, as I repeat, they need to be contextualized in the context of the race and the team. The Buitrago can do a lot of good for example, but I don't see him as being on par with a Remco or a Carlos Rodriguez.
We honestly thought that after the Giro presentation, Remco would change his mind. Two time trials, no extreme climbs. Is it still possible, in this cycling world, to change plans at this point?
Honestly the day after the presentation of the Tour of Italy I also thought: "Remco will change his mind and come to the Giro." It's a unique race: two long, specialist time trials. The first part of the Desenzano race is very technical. Then there are many long climbs, almost all over 10 kilometers, but no extreme climbs like Zoncolan, Tre Cime, or Mortirolo, which are climbs at 8 kilometers an hour. So his decision surprised me a little. However. Remco has tried the Vuelta, he has tried the Giro and it's fair to say he wants to try the Tour too. Regarding the change in plans, what can I say? These are the months when teams plan their strategies, and perhaps between now and the end of February, when the plans are finalized, there will be some surprises.
Let's go back to the white jersey and the now ongoing Rodriguez-Evenepoel duel: who benefits from the Tour route?
Good question. Ultimately, the gravel stage doesn't favor either of them. I see them both struggling, and neither of them will emerge as winners or losers in a head-to-head showdown. Then it's up to both players' recovery abilities. And that won't be easy, because they'll have to be in top form from the start. The start in Italy won't be easy, and staying at the top for three full weeks isn't a given. The white jersey will go to those who don't have any bad days.
Besides Remco and Carlos, do you expect any surprises?
No, the Tour is so tough, difficult and complex in its interpretation that there is no room for surprises.
Before we go, Enrico, a couple of questions about Joao Almeida's heir, often the white jersey of the Giro d'Italia: who will he be? You also have a serious contender, Cian Uijtdebroeks.
Eh, but I won't reveal our plans!
But he declared that he will be in Italy…
I can't answer precisely, it will depend on who will do the Giro. Cian is certainly a good candidate for stage races. This year, he's been in the top ten every WorldTour he's competed in. He has talent on his side, but also many things to improve. Perhaps there could be more surprises in Italy, and not just for the white jersey. With big names at the Tour, there will be a very uncertain top ten. Right now, I see a very good result. Geraint ThomasRegarding the young riders, it's not easy to answer because even if the elevation gain figures aren't comparable to those of 2022 and 2023 and the stages are shorter, there's no shortage of pitfalls and the Giro remains difficult. For example, after the two time trials there is always an uphill finish and the risk is that someone could get lost in the time trial. Experience could make the difference.
Given this and the importance of time trials, let's play the Italian card and say Antonio Tiberi.
I still think that identifying a contender for the white jersey at the Giro is really difficult.
