2015 Tour de France favorites

In any grand tour, the thing people look forward to the most is the battles for the general classification leadership. In Such battles, the cyclists are all-rounders. Strong Sprinters, Good Time Trial Specialsits and brilliant mountain climbers. They also have a tough mental edge, to not crack under pressure (and let’s face it, a hell lot of stamina to survive such a gruelling race).

The Tour de France has the 4 big cyclists currently, all set to race. All of them have peaked into form at the right time. So, let’s take a look at the big 4 favourites.

Vincenzo Nibali (ITA)

Age 30
Races for Astana

The defending Champion said early in the year that the defence of his Tour De France Crown is his number 1 priority. One strength that Nibali, referred to sometimes as the Shark or Nibbles, has is his overall consistency. In every Grand Tour he has participated in, he has NEVER finished outside the top 20. Only 3 times he has not finished in the 10. Winning the 2014 Tour De France, makes him one of 6 cyclists in history to have won all 3 Grand Tours (Rival Alberto Contador is another).

In terms of accolades, he has not won much since the start of the 2015 Season, but is preparing in the old fashioned, grinding way. He has 35 days racing under him this season. He will be coming in fresh. His best results of the year include

10th overall – Tour de Romandie
12th overall – Criterium du Dauphine
13th Liege-Bastogne-Liege

He is more than capable of soloing his way to stage victories or gaining time on his competitors, evident by his dominating performance (his gap over 2 place is the largest since the 1998 tour). Team Astana had a successful stint at the 2015 Giro having 2 riders on the final podium, as well as finishing with the best time classification.

This means Nibbles has a strong support base, which is undoubtedly high in spirit as they seek to assist Nibali’s title defence. One advantage he will enjoy is that, he is the best overall cyclist at the moment.

Of the 4, he enters as the #1 Favorite.

Alberto Contador (ESP)

Age:32
Races for Saxo-Tinkoff

Contador is a multiple grand tour winner. Like Nibali, he is one of the six to have won all 3 grand tours. But unlike Nibali, he has won each on multiple occasions. 7 Grand Tours! (it would have been 9 but 2 were stripped away for his doping offenses). He said that he aims for the Grio and Tour double. He has already won the 2015 Giro. But, age is not an ally always and he is the oldest of the 4.

In 2015, he has spent 44 days racing. The most of the top 4 favorites (this includes the grueling Giro, which is 21 race days and 3400+kms). His best results of the season include

1st overall – Giro d’Italia
2nd overall Ruta del Sol
5th overall – Tirreno-Adriatico

Luckily, Saxo-Tinkoff have been saving their best squads for Alberto Contador on his Tour de France title charge. While the team may not be as dynamic as the other 3 teams, they are much more seasoned riders in comparison.

Alberto has the mental toughness and is also a good climber, but it may not be surprising, giving his race participation this year, that he might falter midway (highly unlikely, given he knows what’s at stake and this is a part of the 2015 goal he set). He was widely regarded to win the 2014 Tour, but unfortunately broke his leg during the race. He would want redemption.

The Experience of Contador means, he could very well be on his path to the first Giro-Tour double since 1998. Can he do it? If so, he has 3 tough rivals to battle, but he could very well outpace them if needed. He may take risks if needed to gain time, shown by his downhill descent Route du Sud over Nairo.

He would be the 2 Favorite, behind Nibali to take the Tour.

Chris Froome (GBR)

Age:30
Races for Team Sky

Froome was disappointed being unable to defend his 2013 Tour crown, in 2014 when he crashed out early in stage 5. He has recently established himself as a premier category rider finishing second in 2012 Tour and 2011 and 2014 Vuelta a Espana (grand tour of Spain). His maiden win was the 2013 Tour Crown, becoming the 2 British rider to win and it was the second time in 2 years, Team Sky rider won the Tour.

Of the 4, he spent the least time racing, with 27 race days so far. His best results this year include

1st overall – Criterium du Dauphine
1st overall – Ruta del Sol
3rd overall – Tour de Romandie

Without a doubt, he is going to have the most energy of all 4. He should capitalize on it. Its for this reason, at the Alps where Froome and Nibali might be the favorites to charge as the tour starts to take its toll on the other riders. However, some might say he needs to overcome his nerves in the first week, owing to his early crash out in 2014.

Team Sky do have a strong group and Froome has a really strong support rider in the form of Riche Porte who could provide invaluable assistance in the mountains.

Froome is 3 favorite behind Nibali and Contador to take the Tour.

Nario Quintana (COL)

Age:25
Races for Movistar

Relatively, Quintana is the least experienced of the lot. He is just 25. He is actually going to not only be timed in the main general classification, but also the white jersey (young riders, anyone born after 1 January, 1990 are eligible for it this year). Despite his young age, he has some solid results in the Grand Tours. He finished 2 in the 2013 Tour (winning the white jersey and the king of the mountains) and won the 2014 Giro D’Italia.

In 2015, he has spent a total of 35 race days and his best results this year have been

1st overall – Tirreno-Adriatico
3rd overall – Tour de San Luis
4th overall – Vuelta al Pais Vasco

However, just before the tour, he practiced in the mountains at his native Columbia. This relaxed training atmosphere would have helped him, especially with rivals on the edge as they raced each other, avoided each other across Europe.

However, compared to his rivals, he is a bit better at the Mountains but, significantly weaker over the plains. This will make the first week of the Tour tough for him, as his rivals might gain precious seconds on the plains.

However, as a member of Movistar and their leader the team prepared him for the cobblestones (1 tricky part of the tour, this time in stage 4) by letting him compete in the the E3 Harelbeke and the Dwars door Vlaanderen. As the designated leader of the squad for the Tour, he will be well supported by a strong Spanish team that is united in its collective brilliance (the team finished 3 in the team classification at the 2014 Tour).

He might consider his moves in the Pyrenees to regain possible time lost, or extend a lead on rivals before they enter the Alps. Despite his lack of experience, it would be better to not count him out.

He would be 4 likely to win, behind his 3 rivals, but could be the favorite for the young riders classification once again.