“Bicycle races are coming our way…!” We look ahead to the Tour de France

Cycling fans the world over will have plenty of reason to rejoice next month as the 110th edition of the Tour de France hits our screens! Well, if last year is anything to go by, we’re in for an absolute cracker as the last iteration of this momentous occasion had everything from a heatwave to even climate change protests, as well as a thrilling tussle for the hallowed yellow jersey which saw Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard knock two-time defending champion Tadej Pogačar off his perch to become the first Dane to triumph at this event since Bjarne Riis back in 1996.

It’s going to be a gruelling start to proceedings this year, as the action gets underway with three difficult stages in the Basque Country, before the first mountain day on Stage 5, the Col du Tourmalet on Stage 6, the return of Puy de Dôme on Stage 9, then climbs including the Grand Colombier, Col de Joux Plane and Col de la Loze shake things up before we edge closer and closer to the finish line in Paris.

Heading into this event, much of the talk is about the highly-anticipated two-horse race for the yellow jersey between reigning champion, Jonas Vingegaard, and the ever irrepressible Tadej Pogačar. With both of these competitors so evenly matched and in no mood to give each other room for manoeuvre, you can bet your bottom dollar that it’s going to be a gripping, exceptionally tense tussle to bring home the bacon!

It goes without saying that both Vingegaard and Pogačar have both been in fine form this season, racking up the wins like they’re going out of fashion. Whilst the Slovene got the better of the Dane at Paris-Nice earlier this season, Vingegaard put in an absolutely blistering performance at Critérium du Dauphiné, winning with the biggest margin since Charly Mottet in 1987. What’s more, he also stated that he can improve even further in the aftermath of said victory. Could this prove to be a defiant statement of prophecy for last year’s Tour de France winner?

Meanwhile, the main question for Pogačar is whether he is at 100% at the moment. Despite sweeping all before him this spring, as he racked up wins in no fewer than 6 events, the Slovene was forced to spend a few weeks on the sidelines after fracturing his wrist at Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Pogačar has been putting in the hard hours in order to aid his recovery in the time which has elapsed since then, but it remains to be seen whether his time on the sidelines will affect his performance in this race.

As for the chasing pack, one of the names which the bookies are currently tipping to be the “best of the rest” is Jai Hindley, who’s making his very first appearance at the Tour de France. The Aussie recovered from an absolutely disastrous showing at Liège-Bastogne-Liège in style by securing a 4th place finish at Critérium du Dauphiné and will no doubt be keen to build on this strong showing here.

Another name that’s also in the mix for the final podium place is David Gaudu. Whilst the Frenchman had a very solid spring, which saw him finish 2nd at the Ardèche Classic and Paris-Nice, as well as 4th at the Drôme Classic and Itzulia Basque Country, his form has gone off the boil a little recently. Gaudu was forced to retire at the Amstel Gold Race, Flèche and Liège, before having to contend with a lowly 30th place finish at Critérium du Dauphiné. 

That being said, Gaudu didn’t exactly set the world alight at Critérium du Dauphiné last year either, but followed that up with a career best 4th place finish in last year’s Tour de France. Can he pull it out of the bag once again and go one better this time around? Only time will tell!

Whatever happens, this looks set to be an absolute belter of a race that’s bound to have us on the edge of our seats over the coming weeks.