LILLE (France) – There were eleven Italians at the start of the Tour de France. Three more than last year and all in all It was great news, especially given how things had turned out. This time, too, we were supposed to get to eight or nine, according to the estimates. Then, instead, Albanese and Dainese joined the "French legion." But for all the good news, bad news soon followed: Filippo Ganna left the race yesterday After a hundred kilometers or so. A real cold shower.
However, those who are there are ready to sell their skin dearly. It won't be easy, given the monstrous level in all sectors, but if these riders are here it's because they also contribute to that monstrous level. Let us introduce these standard-bearers who will try to cause trouble, to win, to help on the streets of France.
The sprinters
This category includes: Jonathan Milan, his partner Simone Consonni e Alberto Dainese.
Milan is making his debut on the Tour roads and we saw him yesterday, when unfortunately he was caught by the fans. He left calmly and highly motivated. At the team presentation, he and Consonni spoke of a very good train. They had rehearsed the final stages of these initial legs twice once they arrived in Lille. And they said that after reviewing it, they had noticed something in the train's layout. Simone should be the last man, for a pair that has been sailing together for several years now. Both are in excellent condition.
Fun fact: According to Ganna, Milan is the favorite to win the green jersey.
Dainese, on the other hand, is at his second Grand Boucle. In 2022, at a very young age, he achieved a seventh and a third place. Precisely because of those placings, a little more was expected from the standard-bearer of the Tudor Pro Cycling, but he also had his fair share of misfortunes, such as some bad falls even in training. However If he's here, it's because he's doing well. He hasn't won yet this year, so maybe now is the right time. If anything, with Marius Mayrhofer on the team, it's up to the question of who will help whom. Alberto could be the last man standing. Or they could even swap roles, as already happened at the 2024 Giro.
For the captains
Certainly Mattia Cattaneo and Edoardo Affini know well that they were brought to France by their respective teams, la Soudal-Quick Step , Visma-Lease a Bike, to help their captains. They'll hardly have carte blanche, but the risk is worth it. Both leaders are aiming for the yellow jersey.
Cattaneo is at the court of Remco Evenepoel. The team has immense faith in him. And even more so without Mikel Landa, Mattia will likely be called upon to perform some extraordinary climbs. Remco wanted it. And Cattaneo, with enormous professionalism, was ready.
Another thoroughbred horse is Affini that we have heard just yesterdayAnd yesterday we saw him right up front, hitting like a blacksmith. He has a more specific task to perform: supporting the team on the plains. With his size, he's out of the running on the climbs, but on the flats and beyond, he'll be crucial. And there will be plenty of flats and wind, especially in these first stages.
The third to enter with full right into this category is Gianni mosconHe also works for a pretty good leader: Primoz Roglic. Perhaps given his recent performances, the Slovenian might struggle more to secure the yellow jersey, but the podium is well within his reach. Gianni himself told us: "I'll be called upon to work especially on the flat and on the rolling stages."
The troublemakers
Then there is the large group of young riders who will be hunting for stages, from rolling ones to climbs, should the group let a breakaway go. We deal with Vincenzo Albanese, Simone Velasco, di Matteo Trentin and David Ballerini.
We could have even included the latter two in the sprinters category. After all, they often took part in bunch sprints. And Ballerini, precisely because he's fast and holds his own on the climbs, might even consider the green jersey. But he certainly has to throw himself into the sprint and with Merlier, Milan and company, it's not easy for him.
Trentin is Trentin: he has the experience to try to win, but also to help the captain Julian AlaphilippeHis Tour will be a truly unpredictable one, despite being the seventh oldest rider at the start and boasting nine Grand Boucle appearances. Coincidentally, he finished fifth in yesterday's stage, the first of the Italians. In the opening photo, you can see how he was in front, pulling in the fan (alongside Affini). In short, he was there at the key moment.
The others, however, not having a ranking man, can race freely. One day, attack, and the next, "rest." Maybe this is the formula for having fun and going fast.
Albanese had told Rai that he had circled the second and fourth stages in red, for example. Velasco, more of a climber, had watched stage 10, the one on the Massif Central.
Whether they attack, help or sprint, the ten Italians remaining in the race still have over 3.100 kilometres available to break a stage fast that has continued since 2019, when Nibali won in Val Thorens.
