The Spaniards who will run the Tour and their aspirations

He peeked out Tour de France, the most global race, one that also needs more attention in Spain because of its tradition of climbers rather than classics. For those looking for incentives across Pogacar and for those trying to defy what is on offer -the third Slovenian Tour-, nine Spanish they will start on Friday in Copenhagen.

The number of participants did not even reach ten in what is at least the low number of this century, almost not enough to form a team before the UCI reduced the members of a formation to the grand tours from 9 to 8. since I did Alexander Valverde in 2015, a Spaniard did not step on the podium and, since 2018, when he was Omar Friarno one raises arms on a stage.

However, there was an illusion in everything I could do Enrique More and the ambition of Mark Soler, with a margin, yes, that the UAE Emirates and Tadej Pogacar could give him. Valverde, who decided to focus on Vuelta to have a good goodbye, will be missed, as will Juan Ayuso, Carlos Rodriguez and Raul Garcia Piernareasonable optimism in the face of the uncertainty expected of Spanish cycling.

Enrique More

the greatest illusion

The man rests a large part of the illusions of Spanish fans. Always called upon to face the Tour de France because of its conditions and the development that followed, the Movistar Team leader was demanding for that podium that a Spaniard has not stepped on since. Alexander Valverde in 2015. Fifth and sixth of the previous two editions, in addition to the natural conditioning factor of the lineup of favorites led by Pogacar, the talon suffered this year does not help. Pure fondist, not many have their freshness in the third week. Asking him to be more aggressive and the tactical strategies Movistar can take should help him. Sa 27 years, is in its prime, especially considering the maturity parameters of the Spanish rider. Achieving his first success on the Tour, another great incentive for him.

two

Charles Verona

Very happy in appearance and confidence

But he will have one of the best fellows in the world, because due to the conditions, commitment and curriculum it has been shown by the man from Madrid, who is also rising in his 29 years. The climber, conditioned last year by a strong fall, will be the Majorcan’s main squire in the mountains, the one present to put up a good march with the group in the harbors and to protect his leader if there is crisis appeared, without forgetting. The tactical role that he can perform by entering a breakaway, a role which is also unreasonable that could be a concern for others if he doesn’t fall as low in the overall classification as he did in 2020 with 19th place. But, above all, its state of confidence must be underlined: his first success as a professional at Dauphiné ahead of Roglic was a tribute to work for others throughout life.

3

Imanol Erviti

The definition of gregarious

The off-roader that every director and leader wants to have. The priceless experience it has accumulated 38 years -12 Tours de France behind him-, penetrates the silence he can bring to Mas, as well as the help he can give him in various situations, both on the flat and when the road is steep. Also a good option for breakaways, whether they’re thinking about Enric or whether the chance to win will show itself after last year’s close win with second place on the stage. The 20 tahi which he received on the first day of Dauphiné -in the picture-, one of the stamps referring to his helpfulness.

4

Gorka Izagirre

A very reliable help for Mas

Another Spanish cycling classic that Enric Mas gets with his telephone training service, both because of his background. 34 years and the 9 Tours that he ran, also for his regularity in the mountains, without forgetting another intangible like his perfect knowledge of Eusebius Unzué’s group, to which he returned after his stage in Astana. Before making his debut as a stage winner in ‘Grande Bouclé’, albeit in a big one – partial success in Turn of 2017-it is also a good option for leaks.

5

Albert Torres

The rookie who has a lot to offer

Farmer chemist from ‘Ses Illes’. Enric Mas will also have the support of Albert Torres, who will also have the honor number first minor ran in a gala round where he made his debut. The ‘pistard’ has already recovered from his fall at Paris-Roubaix which caused him a fracture to the head of the radius. Despite his first time on the Tour, he managed to get in the Giros of 2020 and 2021. This will be a valuable help as a rider and another great option on breakaways.

6

Mark Soler

Dynamite on the mountain for Pogacar

The first Tour of his new life away from Movistar. There is so much motivation for his recent past between his early abandonment last year and the doubts that for some have hooked him in the documentary. ‘The less thought day’, as required, as he is one of the assistants available to Pogacar in the UAE Emirates. The 28-year-old runner is missing, apart from a bit of luck, regularity as well, but when it worked your machine imposes and that is why the Catalan climber is a very useful accomplice for the Slovenian.

7

Ion Izaguirre

Gregarious but stage hunter too

Of the Spaniards on this Tour, little Izagirre was the last to win a stage in the gala round with his victory in 2016, although on his record they also show slight victories in the Giro and Vuelta, complex signs that few can reach. A solid asset, therefore, to win a stage, because of his resume, quality, fitness –second this year at the Vuelta al País Vasco with an accompanying stage-, and the experience his 33 years give him. The counterweight, who, in its first ‘Grande Bouclé’ with Cofidis, will be subject to William Martina context that the Euskadi runner has been accustomed to with all the other teams he has been to (Euskaltel, Movistar, Bahrain and Astana) and it has not deterred his hunting spirit on stage.

8

Luis Leon Sanchez

The person with experience in everything

Like Erviti, he deserves all the bows, both for what he has given to cycling and for his generosity in continuing to enjoy the roads at the age of 38. The active Spaniard with the most success on the Tour includes Alexander Valverde with the four, she still wants to mess up and go on her eleventh Tour de France as an important escort of Damiano Caruso and Jack Haig in Bahrain. The gregarious of the gregarious, since he is not the best in the mountains, his versatility, regardless of the terrain proposed to him, is a guarantee, both work for others and hunt some stage. It’s far away now, but it was in 2010 top-10 with his tenth place overall.

9

Jonathan Castroviejo

Power and perseverance in the service of Ineos

It is one of the most anticipated consolidation for its great benefits and Ineos is the one with the privilege of having versatile and seasoned 35-year-old Basque runner, seven Tours are controversial in his record of service. The potential of Ineos casts as much doubt on whether it will be able to reconcile the ambitions of the three leaders like the 2018 yellow jersey, Geraint Thomas, Daniel Felipe Martinez, and Adam Yates. In any case, there will be a multifaceted and reliable Castro, who makes the same mess with the peloton by flattening where he climbs. strong born tires -European champion against the clock and World Cup bronze in 2016 also in the time trial-, his 23rd place in the overall classification last year also proves his relentless progress as a climber.