Tour de France 2018 preview: Favorites, predictions and picks
By Zach Bigalke
Who is the favorite for the yellow jersey of the race leader on time?
At this year’s Giro d’Italia, Chris Froome became the first rider in history to hold all three grand tour titles at the same time. Froome won his fourth Tour de France last summer. The Kenyan-born British cyclist then raced in the 2017 Vuelta a España. In Spain he won the red jersey of the race’s general classification leader.
A positive test for salbutamol from stage 18 of the 2017 Vuelta put Froome’s results in jeopardy. But as his case went through the appeals process, Froome opted to race the 2018 Giro d’Italia. Looking unfit through the first fortnight, Froome charged back with scintillating performances in the mountains of the final week to win the pink jersey in Italy.
Now Froome has the opportunity to win his fifth yellow jersey. A fifth Tour win would put Froome alongside cycling legends Eddy Merckx, Jacques Anquetil, Bernard Hinault, and Miguel Indurain with the most (non-Lance Armstrong) victories in the race’s history. Froome might start slowly after expending so much energy in Italy. But betting against him seems a dangerous proposition after how he charged back in the Giro.
Which other riders have the best chance to snatch the yellow jersey?
Nairo Quintana: The Movistar leader bombed out of the top 10 at last year’s Tour de France. After a futile quest for the Giro d’Italia missed out on the pink jersey, Quintana could not keep pace in France a few months later. This year the Colombian focused all his energy on the Tour, albeit quietly throughout the spring. This could be his year to take down Froome if the defending champ suffers the same Giro slump that caught Quintana last year.
Romain Bardet: France’s best chance at breaking a three-decade Tour de France drought lies on the shoulders of Bardet. The AG2R La Mondiale star finished second at the Tour behind Froome in 2016 and third last year. Bardet has largely been quiet this spring, though he finished third at Liège-Bastogne-Liège and third at the Critérium du Dauphiné. He will push for a podium spot for the third straight year.
Who are some other contenders in the field?
Adam Yates: The Mitchelton-Scott rider is still just 25 years old. Yates is a favorite to claim a second white jersey as the best young rider in the Tour de France. He could challenge for victory, especially with how little distance is devoted to time trials in this year’s race. His twin brother, Simon, won three stages and spent two weeks in the pink jersey at this year’s Giro.
Vincenzo Nibali: Italy’s best hope of winning the Tour de France this year remains the Italian who last won the yellow jersey. Nibali, Bahrain-Merida’s leader, won the Tour in 2014 and also has two Giro pink jerseys and a Vuelta red jersey to his name as well. Though he is 33 years old, he remains a strong challenger who shows up strong on the biggest stages.
Next: Tour de France 2018 route breakdown and highlights
Richie Porte: Time is running out for Porte to break out and win a grand tour. Though the Tasmanian star is the same age as Froome and Nibali, he has yet to break through for the overall victory over three weeks. Part of that was a career spent as a key lieutenant for Alberto Contador, Bradley Wiggins, and Froome. After winning the Tour de Suisse leading up to this year’s race, Porte is on good form. This could be his last good chance at a Tour de France title.
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.