Fansided

5 names to know at the 2018 Tour de France

By Amy Kaplan

TOPSHOT - Pink jersey Britain's rider of team Sky Christopher Froome, winner, kisses the trophy on the podium after the 21st and last stage of the 101st Giro d'Italia, Tour of Italy cycling race, on May 27, 2018 in Rome. - Britain's Chris Froome completed a sensational comeback to win the Giro d'Italia on Sunday for a rare Grand Tour treble after the 21st and final stage in Rome. Froome, 33, became the first Briton to win the race in the Giro's 101-year history after the 115km closed circuit race through the streets of the Italian capital. (Photo by LUK BENIES / AFP) (Photo credit should read LUK BENIES/AFP/Getty Images)
TOPSHOT - Pink jersey Britain's rider of team Sky Christopher Froome, winner, kisses the trophy on the podium after the 21st and last stage of the 101st Giro d'Italia, Tour of Italy cycling race, on May 27, 2018 in Rome. - Britain's Chris Froome completed a sensational comeback to win the Giro d'Italia on Sunday for a rare Grand Tour treble after the 21st and final stage in Rome. Froome, 33, became the first Briton to win the race in the Giro's 101-year history after the 115km closed circuit race through the streets of the Italian capital. (Photo by LUK BENIES / AFP) (Photo credit should read LUK BENIES/AFP/Getty Images) /
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The Tour de France gets underway soon, and these are the names you need to know about.

If you’re an avid cycling fan you’ve probably heard these five names before, but for those new to Cycling or tuning into the Tour de France for the first time, here are five riders who I believe are the ones to keep an eye on.

Chris Froome (Great Britain) – Expected Winner

Fromme is probably the heaviest favorite to win the Tour de France this year. He’s already won four (2013, 2015, 2016, and 2017) and will be tough to beat in 2018. He’s only the third rider to ever win three years consecutively. He’s the team leader for SKY and has been collecting various wins leading up to the big day.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjSlPAiFw20/?taken-by=chrisfroome

Vincenzo Nibali (Italy) – Upset choice

Nibali, who is part of team Bahrain – Merida, won the Tour de France in 2014 upsetting Froome from a five-win streak after the long-time champion crashed on course five. Perhaps Nibali will upset Froome again this year.

Romain Bardet (France)  – Wildcard

Ag2r-La Mondiale rider, Bardet, has three Tour de France stage wins but has yet to take the race.  In 2017 he placed third overall placing him in a prime position in 2018.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bj_4le9hKc-/?taken-by=romainbardet

Richie Porte (Australia) – Wildcard

In 2017 Porte was seen as Fromme’s biggest competition, and it seems that this year is no different. He and Nibali are both riders with heavy chances of the top podium spot. The team BMC rider has appeared in seven Tour de France competitions but has never placed higher than fifth place.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkI4F9iFyoy/?taken-by=richie_porte

Nairo Quintana (Colombia) – Wildcard

The team Movistar rider, is another one to keep an eye on this year as he’s an up and coming athlete, with Young Athlete awards in 2013 and 2015. His climbing ability will surely work in his advantage on this year’s course.

The race takes place over 21 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,351 kilometers (approx. 2082 miles). For the most part, the race will take place in France, though there will be a small stint of approx. nine miles which will stretch into Spain. There are 11 cities/stages that have never been a part of the race prior (Fontenay-le-Comte, Mouilleron-Saint-Germain, Sarzeau, Dreux), La Rosière, Trie-sur-Baïse, Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, Espelette, and Houilles.

The race starts in Noirmoutier-en-l’Île and will end in Paris Champs-Élysées.

The winner of the tour will win 500,000 Euro which translates to just over $580,000.

For more from The Tour de France, make sure to follow FanSided and stay tuned to our cycling hub for all the latest news and results.

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