This Saturday will see the start of this very special edition of the 2020 Tour de France here in Nice. While the holders of the various distinctive jerseys from the 2019 Tour will all be present to defend their prized tokens, there are many contenders this year. Will we see Colombian Egan Bernal in yellow and white again? Slovak Peter Sagan securing an 8th green jersey? And Frenchman Romain Bardet in polka dots in Paris? An overview of the main favorites.
Yellow Jersey: Bernal for the double?
With a very strong field this year and a disrupted preparation, there are many favorites for the final conquest of the yellow jersey. The outgoing winner, Egan Bernal, is considered a favorite but has not shown his full form during the final rehearsal at the Critรฉrium du Dauphinรฉ, an event he abandoned due to a back pain. Without Christopher Froome and Geraint Thomas, two former winners of the Grande Boucle, his team, Ineos-Grenadier, doesn’t seem as strong as before. In contrast, Slovenian Primoz Roglic, who has maintained great form since the post-covid19 resumption, appears to be backed by solid teammates within the Team Jumbo-Visma. We must also count on Franc-Comtois Thibaut Pinot from the Groupama-FDJ team for the general classification, ready to fight again after his unfortunate withdrawal in the previous edition.
The outsiders: Emmanuel Buchmann (GER/Bora-Hansgrohe, 4th in the 2019 Tour); Tadej Pogacar (SLO/UAE-Emirates, 3 stage wins and 3rd place in the 2019 Vuelta); Nairo Quintana (COL/Arkea-Samsic, winner of the 2014 Giro and 2016 Vuelta).
Green Jersey: Peter Sagan’s eighth?
He is the ultra-favorite to succeed himself. The sprinter from Bora-Hansgrohe, Slovak Peter Sagan, has won 7 of the last 8 points classifications. However, he will have to contend with Belgian Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma), winner of the Strade Bianche and Milano-San Remo in recent weeks, and Australian Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal) as main competitors.
The outsiders: Sam Bennett (IRL/Deceuninck-Quick Step); Elia Viviani (ITA/Cofidis); Giacomo Nizzolo (ITA/NTT Pro Cycling).
Polka Dot Jersey: A new French winner?
Many attackers/climbers will be looking to win the polka dot jersey in Paris. The outgoing winner, Romain Bardet, is aiming for stage wins rather than the best climber classification. Winner in 2018 and often at the forefront, Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) might be tempted to aim for the jersey in case of underperformance in the general classification. Other French riders interested in this classification include Warren Barguil (Arkรฉa-Samsic, winner in 2017) and Pierre Rolland (B&B Hotels-Vital Concept).
The outsiders: Thomas De Gendt (BEL/Lotto Soudal); Marc Soler (ESP/Movistar); Ilnur Zakarin (RUS/CCC Team).
White Jersey: Bernal a sure bet?
There are 25 riders at the start who were born after January 1, 1995, and are eligible for the best young rider classification of this 2020 Tour. At 23 years old, Colombian Egan Bernal is logically the favorite to succeed himself. However, watch out for Tadej Pogacar (21 years old) in case of underperformance.
The outsiders: Daniel Martinez (COL/EF Pro Cycling); Lennard Kรคmna (GER/Bora-Hansgrohe); Pavel Sivakov (RUS/Ineos-Grenadier); David Gaudu (FRA/Groupama-FDJ).
