Ineos Grenadiers Facing Possible Tour de France Flop Without a Leader

Ineos Grenadiers Face Uncertainty in Tour de France

Will Ineos Grenadiers Be in Contention for the Yellow Jersey?

The upcoming Tour de France poses a unique challenge for the Ineos Grenadiers. Formerly known as Team Sky, Ineos was once dominant, winning the yellow jersey at the Tour de France for five consecutive years from 2015 to 2019. However, this year’s team does not appear to have a strong favorite to battle for the General Classification (GC) against riders like Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) and Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates).

Eurosport expert Adam Blythe predicts that Ineos Grenadiers could have their “worst Tour de France in terms of general classification hopes.” The team‘s former champion, Egan Bernal, is still returning to his top level after a serious injury, while 23-year-old Tom Pidcock is only competing in his third Grand Tour. Blythe believes that the team will be focused on stage wins, and a top-10 finish in the GC would be considered a great result.

A Different Scenario for Ineos Grenadiers

Adam Blythe suggests that Ineos Grenadiers may have to adjust their expectations for this year’s Tour de France. He states, “This year I would say the ambition is between top five and top 10, after that I am not too sure.” Tom Pidcock, a rising star in the team, may try to stay up in the GC but will also be focusing on stage wins and glory. However, Blythe does not believe that Bernal, the former Tour de France champion, will be able to compete for the GC. He thinks that the other experienced riders in the team, such as Jonathan Castroviejo and Michal Kwiatkowski, may only be able to finish in the top 10.

Challenging other Teams

While Ineos Grenadiers may not be strong contenders for the yellow jersey, their presence in the race will still be significant. Eurosport expert Jens Voigt suggests that other teams cannot rely on Ineos to set the pace and control the race. Instead, teams like Jumbo-Visma and UAE Team Emirates will likely take on that role. Ineos Grenadiers will focus on stage hunting, seizing opportunities to win individual stages.

Mark Cavendish’s Last Hurrah

Can Cavendish Break Eddy Merckx’s Record?

One of the main stories of this year’s Tour de France is Mark Cavendish’s bid to break Eddy Merckx’s record for stage wins. Cavendish, who currently has 34 stage victories, will be seeking his 35th win to surpass Merckx. Eurosport expert Adam Blythe believes that Cavendish is capable of achieving this impressive feat, despite the pressure and competition. Blythe points out that Cavendish’s recent victory at the Giro d’Italia has only fueled his motivation and hunger for success.

The pressure to break the record and secure a stage win at the Tour de France will rest heavily on Cavendish’s shoulders. However, Blythe expresses optimism and has his fingers crossed for the British sprinter.

The Start of the Tour de France

The 2023 Tour de France is set to start in Bilbao on Saturday, July 1. Fans and competitors alike eagerly await the outcome of this year’s race, which promises to be full of surprises and challenges for teams like Ineos Grenadiers and individuals like Mark Cavendish.

As the race kicks off, all eyes will be on the riders as they push their limits and aim to make history. Ineos Grenadiers may be facing uncertainty, but in the world of cycling, anything is possible.