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The Tour de France is the most important race in the world, and therefore, at Cycling Fantasy we have prepared several materials to warm up engines before the race, which can serve as a small guide to compose our teams. Just as a few days ago we reviewed the route in detail, this article is dedicated to reviewing all the cyclists who will participate in the Tour, trying to anticipate their objectives and ambitions. This is our now classic 1x1, let's see it!

VISMA - LEASE A BIKE

After many doubts about his presence or not in the Tour caused by the crash he suffered at the Izulia Basque Country, Jonas Vingegaard (1200) will finally start as the leader of the Visma - Lease a Bike. The Dane will try to win his third consecutive Tour, and to do so he will have a great team at his service. Matteo Jorgenson (1000) has made a huge leap in quality this year with his signing for the team, winning Paris-Nice and being second in the Critérium du Dauphiné, so he should be the team's second GC asset. Wilco Kelderman (600), Tiesj Benoot (400), and Bart Lemmen (200) are going to the Tour to work for Vingegaard in the mountains. For his part, Jan Tratnik (400) will surely have to lead the peloton on many flat kilometers. The team is completed by Wout Van Aert (1200) and Christophe Laporte (800), who will surely look for stage victories in the sprints or if they get the freedom to go on the breakaway, but who will also work for their leader the rest of the days.

UAE TEAM EMIRATES

Tadej Pogačar (1200) is the undisputed leader of the team. After his strong win at the Giro d'Italia, Pogačar wants to win again a race that has eluded him in the last two editions, in which he has been second. To this end, UAE Team Emirates presents an incredibly strong team: Adam Yates (1200), Joao Almeida (1200) and Juan Ayuso (1200) are three great riders who could compete for the general classification by themselves, and will undoubtedly be good options if Pogačar fails (which does not usually happen). Marc Soler (600) and Pavel Sivakov (600) are two very good domestiques in the mountains, while Nils Politt (400) and Tim Wellens (400) will have the role of pulling on the flat stages to protect their leader.

TEAM JAYCO - ALULA

Simon Yates (800) was fourth in last year's Tour and is the Australian team's GC man. Chris Harper (400) is also a good climber, while the rest of the team is more focused on stage wins on the flat or hilly stages. Dylan Groenewegen (800) is the team's pure sprinter, while Michael Matthews (800) is a fast man for more select group sprints. Luka Mezgec (200) is a good last man for both Groenewegen and Matthews. The sprint train also includes Christopher Juul-Jensen (200) and Luke Durbridge (200). Elmar Reinders (200) completes the team in a supporting role.

UNO-X MOBILITY

The Norwegian UCI ProTeam will be in the Tour for the second consecutive year with the objective of a stage victory that eluded them last year. To achieve this, the team has a very in form formation aimed at getting into all possible breakaways: Magnus Cort (800), Rasmus Tiller (200), Jonas Abrahamsen (200) and Odd Chrsitian Eiking (200) have this objective, while Tobias Johannesen (400) can try to fight the KOM classification in the first weeks. Alexander Kristoff (600) and Soren Waerenskjold (600) are the team’s fast men for sprints. Johannes Kulset (200) has a supporting role.

ISRAEL - PREMIER TECH

Derek Gee (600) impressed in the mountains of the Critérium du Dauphiné, where he finished third, but it looks unlikely that he will give a try to the Tour de France general classification. Thus, without a leader for the GC, the Israeli team will undoubtedly seek a stage victory. Gee himself in the breakaways seems to be their best option, although the team also counts with the punch of Stephen Williams (400) for the explosive stages and with Pascal Ackermann (600), who is the team's sprinter for the flat stages. Krists Neilands (200) and Jakob Fuglsang (200) will also have to select their breakaway days, while Jake Stewart (200), Hugo Houle (200) and Guillaume Bovin (200) go to the Tour as teammates, especially on the flat stages, where they will try to place Ackermann as best as possible.

DECATHLON AG2R LA MONDIALE TEAM

Felix Gall (800) won a stage and was eighth in the 2023 Tour de France, earning himself the status of team’s GC leader. Sam Bennet (800) is a great sprinter when he is in form, and his results in the 4 Jours de Dunkirk are encouraging, although the competition in the Tour is much stronger. Bruno Armirail (400) is a good time trialist and surely has two time trials as his goal, although it seems unlikely that he can win. The rest of the team, made up of Oliver Naesen (200), Dorian Godon (200), Nans Peters (200), Nicholas Prodhomme (200) and Paul Lapeira (200), will have to go on the break to shine.

BAHRAIN - VICTORIOUS

Pello Bilbao (800) has finished in the top 10 in the last two editions of the Tour and is the team's main rider for the general classification. Santiago Buitrago (800), Jack Haig (400), and Wout Poels (600) are also good climbers, but they might focus less on the general classification and instead aim to get into breakaways to try and win a stage or compete for the KOM classification. Phil Bauhaus (800) is the team's sprinter, and it's likely that Alfred Wright (600) and Nikias Arndt (200) will be at his service to prepare the sprint finishes. The team is completed by Matej Mohorič (600), who will undoubtedly aim to get into breakaways to win a stage in the medium mountain stages. The first two stages suit him particularly well.

RED BULL - BORA - HANSGROHE

Primoz Roglič (1200) returns to the Tour de France after a year away and two consecutive editions where he couldn't finish. The Slovenian, coming off a win at the Critérium du Dauphiné, will be the leader of the team Red Bull - Bora - Hansgrohe and will once again attempt the feat of completing the triple crown of grand tours, following his victories in the Vuelta a España 2019, 2020, 2021, and the Giro d’Italia 2023. Alexandr Vlasov (1000) and Jay Hindley (1000) are also riders who usually compete for general classifications, but it seems clear that if Roglič is in good form, they will be at his service. Marco Haller (200), Matteo Sobrero (400), Nico Denz (200), and Bob Jungels (400) will also perform domestique duties or perhaps have the freedom to seek a breakaway on certain stages. Meanwhile, Danny Van Poppel (600) will be the team's sprinter and might compete for the green points jersey. On truly flat stages, there are several sprinters faster than him, but his chances of winning a stage increase the more selective the stages are.

COFIDIS

Bryan Coquard (800) is the team's sprinter and is especially strong in uphill finishes. Axel Zingel (400) is a good puncheur in good form. Guillaume Martin (600) and Ion Izagirre (400) have attempted to compete in the general classification of the Tour in the past but would do well to aim for stage victories in mountain stages, where they can shine more. Simon Geschke (400) usually competes for the mountain classification, and Jesús Herrada (400) is a good stage hunter. Piet Allegaert (200) and Alexis Renard (200) might try to get into breakaways on flat or intermediate stages, but they will likely be at the service of the team. A stage victory is Cofidis's goal for this Tour.

MOVISTAR TEAM

As always, Enric Mas (1000) will be aiming for a place of honor in the GC. Alex Aranburu (600) is a fast and resilient puncheur and is a strong candidate for a win in hilly stages, and Oier Lazkano (400) is a great rouleur who will have the freedom to go for his stage. For his part, Fernando Gaviria (600) is the team's sprinter. Nelson Oliveira (200), Gregor Muhlberger (200), Javier Romo (200), and Davide Formolo (200) seem destined to be team players, although all four are strong riders if they manage to get into the right breakaway.

SOUDAL - QUICKSTEP

Remco Evenepoel (1200) is the undisputed leader of the team and will compete in the Tour for the first time with the ambition of winning it. However, his form was not at its best a week ago at the Critérium du Dauphiné, putting him a step behind Pogačar, Vingegaard, and Roglič on the list of favorites. Mikel Landa (800) will be his last man in the mountains, but if Evenepoel is not at 100%, Landa is also a very good second option for the general classification. Ilan Van Wilder (800) and Jan Hirt (200) are also good climbers for the mountains, while Casper Pedersen (200), Yves Lampaert (600), Gianni Moscon (200), and Louis Vervaeke (200) are classics riders who will work for the team on the flat stages or seek their opportunities from breakaways.

ALPECIN - DECEUNINCK

Jasper Philipsen (1200) is one of the top sprinters in the race and will aim to repeat his victory in the points classification from last year. Mathieu Van Der Poel (600) will be Philipsen's lead-out man on the flat stages, but he also has ambitions to win a stage and, if possible, wear the yellow jersey in the early stages as he did in 2021. Soren Kragh Andersen (400) is a stage hunter with a knack for getting into the right breakaway, while Axel Laurence (400) is a good puncheur for intermediate stages and uphill finishes. Gianni Vermeersch (200) will be Van Der Poel's wingman for the sterrato stage (stage 9) and will be part of Philipsen's lead-out train along with Van Der Poel, Silvain Dillier (200), Robbe Ghys (200), and Jonas Rickaert (200).

ASTANA QAZAQSTAN TEAM

Mark Cavendish (400) returns to the Tour with the aim of finally surpassing Eddy Merckx as the cyclist with the most victories in Tour history (both have 34). To achieve this, he will have the services of Michael Morkov (200), one of the best lead-out men in the world. Cees Bol (400) is also a good sprinter and if Cavendish is not at 100%, he will contest the sprints. Davide Ballerini (400) and Michele Gazzoli (200) will also be part of the sprint train, while Alexey Lutsenko (600) and Harold Tejada (200) will aim to get into breakaways to win a stage. Yevgeniy Fedorov (200) comes to the Tour as a domestique.

EF EDUCATION - EASYPOST

Richard Carapaz (600) is the team's best climber and will likely aim for a high overall placing. However, if he loses too much time in the early stages, he is versatile enough to switch objectives and could be a strong contender for the mountains classification or a stage win. Ben Healy (600), Neilson Powless (800), Rui Costa (400), and Alberto Bettiol (600) are strong riders who will try to win stages, while Marijn Van Den Berg (600) is the team's fast man for the sprints. Stefan Bisseger (400) is one of the best time trialists in the world and will likely focus on the two time trials, while Sean Quinn (200) will probably go ti the Tour to gain experience and help his teammates.

INEOS GRENADIERS

Egan Bernal (600) is gradually returning to his best form. Him, Geraint Thomas (1000) and Carlos Rodríguez (1000) will start with GC ambitions, allowing the race to determine who will be the team's leader. Jonathan Castroviejo (200), Michal Kwiatkowski (400), and Laurens De Plus (200) are three very reliable domestiques, and Ben Turner (200) is a young rider who will also work for the team in the Tour. Thomas Pidcock (1000), on the other hand, will have the freedom to seek a stage win and is a strong candidate to wear the first yellow jersey, as the first stage suits his characteristics perfectly.

INTERMARCHÉ - WANTY

Lois Meintjes (600) is a cyclist with great endurance who already knows what it's like to make the top 10 in the Tour, but this time he will be very alone in the mountains, as the rest of the team comes to compete in the sprints with Gerben Thijssen (400) and Biniam Girmay (600), who are in good shape. Perhaps Georg Zimmermann (400) or Mike Teunissen (400) will have the freedom to go on the attack one day, but it seems that both their role and that of Laurens Rex (200), Hugo Page (400), and Kobe Goossens (200) is to support and work for their sprinters.

LIDL - TREK

Mads Pedersen (1200) will aim for the sprints and the green points jersey that eluded him last year. Giulio Ciccone (1000) won the KOM classification last year, and it seems clear he will try to repeat this feat, being a great climber. Tim Declercq (200), Ryan Gibbons (200), and Jasper Stuyven (400) will be part of Pedersen's lead-out train, although Stuyven may also have personal ambitions. Toms Skujins (400) has a knack for breakaways, and Carlos Verona (200) is a good climber. The team is completed by the experienced Julien Bernard (200) as road captain.

ARKÉA - B&B HOTELS

Arnaud Démare (400) is far from his best form, but on paper, he is the team's man for sprints, although Luca Mozzato (400) has had a great season and could challenge him for this position. Raúl García Pierna (200) is a young rider who has improved significantly over the last year, and Amaury Capiot (200) is a fast classics rider. However, both their roles in this Tour seem to be focused on positioning their leaders for the sprints, along with Daniel McLay (200). Christian Rodríguez (200) is a good climber who will likely want to test how far he can go in the general classification, while Clément Champoussin (400) is someone to watch in medium mountain stages. The team is rounded out by Kévin Vauquelin (600), who is a good puncheur and time trialist and should have the freedom to seek a stage win.

GROUPAMA - FDJ

David Gaudu (800) has finished in the top 10 in the GC in the last two editions of the Tour de France, and along with young Lenny Martinez (600), he will be the team's protected rider. Martinez has improved enormously over the last two seasons and seems to be the most promising French cyclist, representing the country's great hope for a future Tour de France winner. Stefan Küng (600) will have his eyes set on the two time trials of the race but will also look to compete for victories in classic-style rolling stages. In these stages, Romain Grégoire (600) and Valentin Madouas (400) are also capable of winning. Kévin Geniets (200), Quentin Pacher (200), and Clément Russo (200) are the team's three domestiques.

TEAM DSM - FIRMENICH POSTNL

Romain Bardet (800) has announced his retirement from road cycling after the Critérium du Dauphiné 2025, making this his 11th and final Tour de France. The French rider will aim to bid farewell with a stage win and is also a strong candidate for the best climber's jersey, which he won in 2019. Warren Barguil (400), who also won the best climber's jersey in 2017, might focus more on getting into a good breakaway to contest a stage win. The Dutch team will also look to win in the flat stages, as they have Fabio Jakobsen (800), one of the top sprinters in the world. Oscar Onley (400) and Frank Van Der Broek (200) are two young climbers who may aim to see how far they can go in the GC, while John Degenkolb (200), Nils Eekhoff (200) and Bram Welten (200) will form the sprint train to position Jakobsen.

LOTTO DSTNY

Arnaud De Lie (600) is a fast classics rider who will seek a stage win by getting into the sprints, which favor him if the group is somewhat selected. Victor Campenaerts (200) is a converted time trialist who will look to join breakaways, while Maxim Van Gils (600) is a tough rider who has made significant progress this year, especially in hilly terrain (he was third in Strade Bianche, fourth in Flèche Wallonne, fourth in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and seventh in Milano-Sanremo). Harm Vanhoucke (200) is a good climber who will have the freedom to join breakaways in mountain stages, just as Brent Van Moer (200) will in stages with less elevation. For his part**, Jarrad Drizners (200)** will participate in positioning De Lie, and along with Sébastien Grignard (200) and Cédric Beullens (200), they will be the team's domestiques.

TOTALENERGIES

On paper, the weakest team in the Tour. Their goal should be to live in the breakaways and gain visibility, and winning a stage would be a great success. Sandy Dujardin (200) appears to be the sprinter of the team, while Mathieu Burgadeau (400) might be their best shot at a stage win with his punch. Steff Crass (200), Anthony Turgis (200), and Jordan Jegat (200) will try their luck in breakaways, while Thomas Gachignard (200), Mattéo Vercher (200), and Fabien Grellier (200) will likely serve as domestiques for their teammates.

Photo: © A.S.O. / Tour de France