After victories in 2020 and 2021, Tadej Pogacar goes into this year’s Tour de France bidding to complete a hat-trick in the Grand Tour event. If successful, he will become only the ninth cyclist in history to prevail three times or more in the race.
The world number one has finished second in the last two editions of the Tour de France behind Jonas Vingegaard. Unfortunately for the Dane, he was involved in a serious crash earlier this season, and his form for July is very uncertain.
Dual Winner Heads to France in Great Form
A dream come true. Thanks to everybody who made it possible. Grazie Mille Italia❤️ pic.twitter.com/jOxPlimMnF
— Tadej Pogačar (@TamauPogi) May 26, 2024
Pogacar goes into the 2024 Tour de France on the back of a dominant debut victory in the Giro d’Italia. It was one of the widest margins of success in the race’s history. He is now the 4/11 favourite in the betting odds for the upcoming Grand Tour.
The betting calculator indicates that a £10 bet on Pogacar will generate a profit of £3.64. He is a red-hot favourite to continue his excellent form, and despite his appearance in the Giro d’Italia this year, many pundits felt he held enough back in that race to ensure he is fresh for his hat-trick bid in Paris.
It is set to be a big year for the Slovenian as he will also have high hopes of winning a gold medal at the Olympics in France this summer. The cyclist landed bronze in Tokyo in 2021 in the road race won by Richard Carapaz.
Primoz Roglic Leading Challenger to Pogacar
Former Tour de France runner-up Primoz Roglic is expected to be the strongest rival to his Slovenian compatriot this year. The experienced rider was second in 2020, 59 seconds behind Pogacar.
The three-time Vuelta a Espana winner was victorious in the Criterium du Dauphine earlier this year. Now aged 34, he will be desperate to win the Tour de France for the first time in his career.
New year, new me! 😜@BORAhansgrohe #cycling #newseason #happynewyear pic.twitter.com/XbpxrgCbvl
— Primož Roglič (@rogla) January 1, 2024
Roglic has spent 75 weeks at the top of the road racing world rankings. A triumph in France will give him a good chance of regaining that top spot in the standings. He suffered a heavy crash at Itzulia Basque County, but his Criterium du Dauphine triumph proved he is now back to full fitness.
Adam Yates Set to Relish Mountain Stages
Not many participants in this year’s Tour de France field will relish the mountain stages more than Adam Yates. The British rider finished third in the general classification in 2023 – his best finish yet to the race.
His performance in 2023 will give the UAE Team Emirates rider a lot of confidence ahead of his next shot at glory. His chief role is to back up Pogacar, but if he is in contention going into the final stages, he will be focussed on the first prize himself.
The 2024 Tour de France takes place between Saturday, 29th of June and Sunday, 21st of July. It is the 111th edition of the Grand Tour event.
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