When you think Switzerland, you think mountains, and when you think cycling in Switzerland, you think Monte Rosa. After a quick TT prologue which will blow out cobwebs and the general classification chances of a few hopefuls, it will be into the Swiss Alps for some serious weeding out of any pretenders to the throne. After several tough stages, the tour ends with the remaining general classification hopefuls trying to stick with the few sprinters in Genève.
As always, 20 teams will take part, and most will be hoping that Swiss cheese and Swiss chocolate will make way for Swiss trophies to take home. Here are their chances.
The Doomsday Bunnies
Damario’s decent in the mountains and the flats, but his lack of sprinting abilities makes him a domestic for Andreas. Can Andreas make up time from the prologue?
THE DUTCHIES
Nicoolas has some domestic support for the mountains, but will only be fighting for a podium in these stages.
Designa Legends PPDB
Ulrich is a strong chance in the TT, and best chance for Designa glory. Meyer isn’t quite up there for the mountains.
mirabelle
Nico isn’t there for the TT, but could surprise a podium. He’s there for the sprints, and he has a truckload of support behind him. Top 2 for the sprints.
Squiffinator
| | Freddy is one of 4 riders expected to challenge for a prologue podium. He’ll turn to helping Rudolf in the sprints, who’ll be looking to win. The sprinter’s race is a race of two.
Australian Warlord
Why is this team here? Sylvester and?? Nothing. Well, the riders will get to see some scenery.
sivac
Sivac has a strong team with good domestic support, but Evaristo will need a bit of luck. Will get top 10 finishes, but a podium will be difficult to achieve.
Hard Gaat Ie
Lars is looking at a prologue podium, and failure to achieve this would make for no drinks out for HGI riders.
Lusitano
Elvio will be missing support in the mountains. It could be costly, and this in possibly his last serious chance for a trophy.
Zero Tolerance
The twin TT attack will probably be coming up short. Burton not quite for the mountains. It’s likely to be Zero’s story, close but no trophies.
Team Kernow
Luis is a top rider with some domestic support, but he could just be missing the killer punch in his home race. A guy who the crowd will like to see win, but wants isn’t always converted into results.
Team Albatros
A favourite team with a decent manager. Sadly, the best Normando can hope for is a possible top 9 in the mountains.
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Cremtec
Pierre is hoping for mountain or general podiums. We’ll try to find him a wishing well on a mountain.
Peloton Pushers
Expected to win the TT with Gerhard, then they’ll coast all the way to Genève.
HC Alpine
Alpine is a one string attack for the Alpines. Just as well it’s Bartoli. Is he good enough to overcome the lack of decent domestics?
Godzilla
If Bernie wants a podium in the TT, he’ll need some luck. Jeff faces even tougher competition in the mountains.
TheRhys
Possible mountain winner, likely tour winner. With great domestic support, Eddie will take away some trophies. Which ones, we’ll see in a few days’ time.
Ocaña
Noe is hoping his TT result will hold him through the mountains. He has decent support in Kassim, but this reporter wonders whether they’re secretly going for a BA stage win.
speedyb
Speedy’s top man is hoping their old man still has enough in his legs. Will age catch up with Landon? If his legs hold, he could win.
Eixample ATH
Lucky last in, and Romula for the mountains. With decent support, he might be lucky, but the lucky rubber band isn’t that strong. Aubrey will be a team leader in the future, but for now he’s at short odds for the youth title.
Written by freelancer Rustgold from Australian Warlord to OCM Magazine
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