(written by Yuri of Yuri Super Team)
After a difficult Germany Tour, the last Tour of the season is now upon. The difficult roads of the Netherlands will require riders with technique to avoid falls and teams must also deal with the crosswinds. This year sees an amazing bunch of riders present at the Tour, including no less than three previous winners, and predicting a winner is very difficult. However, here’s an analysis of the chances of each team entered.
Team WonderDee – 40th in OCM
Team WonderDee and their leader Gerald Karda were the first ones to arrive for sign up. Obviously they are hoping to repeat Karda’s GC success from season 10. However, the quality of opposition is much higher this year, Will Karda be able to repeat success?
Tour Prediction – TOP 9 in the GC
Kremer – 39th in OCM
Kremer are a team trying to get experience in the big Tours. With only three riders capable of working as a leadout, it looks like a tough job for captain Cary Shutts, However, he has youth on his side and this may be enough to gain him a result.
Tour Prediction – TOP 5 in the YC
Shinboners – 31st in OCM
If there is a favourite for the Tour, than it would be defending champion, Torben Sturmann. The German has not had the best of seasons with only one victory to his name, but he has the quality and a great team behind to make him the man to beat this Tour. Will he be able to do it again?
Tour Prediction – Sturmann repeats GC Win
Temora Tornadoes – 28th in OCM
A stage winner from the previous two seasons, Grayson Bankston is another rider to keep an eye on. He is likely to win a stage and feature in the GC but a lack of timetrialling ability make winning unlikely.
Tour Prediction – TOP 9 and a stage victory
threshold1985 – 70th in OCM
A surprise entry, threshold1985 have entered a climbing team to a sprinting Tour. A prologue success with Arnoldo Wife is about the only chance of success for this team.
Tour Prediction – The team will struggle
Poker21 – 80th in OCM
Egan Moseley looks very good for stage 4 but will this low experienced Team give him the support he needs for the rest | | of the Tour?
Tour Prediction – Stage victory for Moseley
Rode Stier – 22nd in OCM
There are only 2 Dutch teams in their home Tour and Rode Stier is one of them. Their Italian leader Fabian Turco is already an experienced cyclist in this type of races and his high TT ability will be a great bonus for the Prologue. Will he do better than last year’s 15th place?
Tour Prediction – GC TOP 9
Team Hurricanes – 69th in OCM
With one of the strongest teams present, Luciano Nibali is likely to be one of the favourites for the Tour. However, Stages 1 and 4 are so important that his combination of Timetrial and hills abilities may not be enough.
Tour Prediction – TOP 5 in the GC and a stage victory
cway – 88th in OCM
cway have fallen down the rankings this season but have such a strong team that this Tour may launch them back into the top division. With so many strong sprinters it is difficult to know which rider will be captaining the team. Will it be Nasir al Din Nawfal, Miles Finnerty or Aedan Weaire, all of whom could have a shot at the title.
Tour Prediction – GC TOP 9
Legia – 17th in OCM
Legia’s captain Pascal Juszczak is another great talent racing in this Tour. But he was only 12th last season and has no wins this year. With an injured lead out and a lack of timetrialling ability, will he be able to get a result this year?
Tour Prediction – GC TOP 9 for Juszczak
KK Perutnina Ptuj – 53rd in OCM
Putting a timetrialler as captain in this Tour is risky but KK Perutnina Ptuj still decided to give the captaincy to Jimmy Lust. Other than Lust, they will bring Atalay Tezcan (who looks good for stage 4) and Raul Ruiz (who is their best sprinter). How will this team race? Who will be their best chance for the GC?
Tour Prediction – Stage TOP 3 for any of these 3 riders
El Svilandos – 52nd in OCM
Don't underestimate El Svilandos’ young Kyrgyzstan captain, Yaroslav Chastakorlenka. He has already showed his talent and he looks ready to shine on this Tour. But with no lead outs it will be difficult.
Tour Prediction – TOP 3 in the YC
Luveaucek –
| | 47th in OCM
Last year Art Cruse surprised everyone on the timetrial and managed a final 4th place in the GC. This year he looks even better in the sprints and hills. He will certainly be one to watch.
Tour Prediction –GC TOP 5
North Shropshire Wheelers – 29th in OCM
After a 3rd place in a Germany Tour stage, it seems that Jaroslav Brychta is ready for this Tour. Has Germany have taken a lot out of the rider or will he repeat his success from last season?
Tour Prediction – GC top 3
radu – 66th in OCM
Rogelio Nadol might be the biggest surprise this season along with his team. His great sprinting ability may give radu many wins but will it give him a Nederlandse title?
Tour Prediction – One stage victory for Nadol
Bagger – 43rd in OCM
Bagger is bringing a good sprinter in Paulino Saldamando, but like many others, he lacks an ability in the timetrials and hills. Will he still surprise?
Tour Prediction – Stage TOP 3 for Saldamando
Toma Pro CST – 65th in OCM
Lowie Batenburg is a Dutch rider from a Dutch team which is racing at home. Despite having home advantage his lack of results this season suggest he may struggle in this Tour.
Tour Prediction – Stage win for this Dutch cyclist
Pomada – 35th in OCM
No specialist or talented riders can be seen in Pomada’ entry to the Tour. It seems they will fight only in the Breakaways.
Tour Prediction – A Tour struggle
Yuri SuperTeam – 51st in OCM
Patya Gordeyeva has had a successful season with four victories to his name, including a stage win at the Volta. He has the skills and a good team behind him. He will certainly be one of the favourites for the title.
Tour Prediction – TOP 3 in the GC
JJL24SS – 21st in OCM
An ex-winner is always going to be considered one of the favourite, and Nicolai Hermansen is no exception. His performance last season was a disappointment but he is likely to be better this season.
Tour Prediction – TOP 5 in the GC and Stage win for Nicolai
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