Sports Then and Now

The general classification results make good reading for Team Ineos (formerly Team Sky) when you look back at the most recent editions of the Tour de France. Out of the last eight races, the British team have won seven yellow jerseys. Last year, it was Colombian cyclist Egan Bernal who made history when he became the youngest cyclist to win the prestigious yellow jersey. Then aged 22, he was also the recipient of the white jersey, signifying that he was also the winner of the young rider classification. This year, Bernal is one of the early favourites in the odds on Tour de France winner. But will he – and Team Ineos – be successful once again?

Out of form Froome

There had been question marks over whether or not Chris Froome would be included in this year’s Tour de France team. After suffering horrific multiple injuries in a freak high-speed incident last year, that prevented him racing in the 2019 Tour de France, and only returning to action in February, it was always a big ask for the former four-time winner to come back at that same level of form and fitness. Unsurprisingly, he has been left out of Team Ineos’ Tour de France squad.

It was recently announced that Ineos won’t be extending the contract of their former leading racer, and instead, the 35-year-old will join Israel Start-Up Nation next season. After the global coronavirus pandemic put paid to many races and events taking place, the calendar has since been rescheduled and while Froome has been able to participate in warm-up events ahead of the Tour de France, team boss Dave Brailsford said of the decision: “Chris needs that little bit longer to get to the highest level.”  

Geraint to take on the Giro

Winner of the 2018 Tour de France, Geraint Thomas, also misses out. He finished 37^th at the recent Critérium du Dauphiné, the third and final warm-up race and the one considered the most gruelling. Some 50 minutes behind the winner, Daniel Martinez of EF Pro Cycling, the decision was made that Thomas would instead front the team at the Giro d’Italia in October.

Explaining his plan for the upcoming months, Brailsford continued: “Geraint will target the Giro and take on the opportunity to double up his Tour de France win with another Grand Tour title, with the aim of being the first Welshman to win it.”

Bernal to lead the charge

Despite pulling out of the last race in Dauphiné with a back injury, Colombian Bernal will lead the team – and aim to retain the yellow jersey. A recent victory at the Route d’Occitanie in July duly helped his cause.

The 23-year-old will be supported by Richard Carapaz, who will act as a super domestique. The Ecuadorian won last year’s Giro d’Italia – his first major victory – and will be making his Tour de France debut later this month.

Discussing his line-up, Brailsford concluded: “Egan will once again target the yellow jersey in France and we are very excited to give last year’s Giro winner, Richard Carapaz, his debut in this year’s Tour. I am very proud that we have several current, and I am sure future, Grand Tour champions in the team.”

The eight-man line-up for Team Ineos is as follows: Egan Bernal, Richard Carapaz, Andrey Amador, Jonathan Castroviejo, Michal Kwiatkowski, Luke Rowe, Pavel Sivakov, Dylan van Baarle.

Discussing his line-up, Brailsford concluded: “Egan will once again target the yellow jersey in France and we are very excited to give last year’s Giro winner, Richard Carapaz, his debut in this year’s Tour. I am very proud that we have several current, and I am sure future, Grand Tour champions in the team.”