With two days of climbing left to decide the Tour of
Romandie, the Tour Du Suisse could be
missed by some but it presents a fantastic opportunity for Tejay Van Garderen
to put the finishing touch to what has been an excellent campaign for him by
taking just his second stage race before he heads to France.
The white jersey winner last year, finishing an excellent
fifth despite going there to support Cadel Evans, Van Garderen only lost significant
time on the first summit finish to La Planche Des Belles -admittedly three minutes
Fillies before putting upto the very best of the general classification men on
tour, and eventually ending the race and very convicting winner of the white
jersey competition.
Since then he’s maintained his consistency in stage races
while also improving his time trialling especially even further – Van Garderen
has shown a penchant for overdoing his efforts early, causing him to lose a lot
of time late in the last tour time trials – coming second at the Tour De San
Luis to start his season, fourth at Paris Nice, and then 1st in the
Tour of California, where he posted a dominant time trial successes which involved
both hard riding on the flat and also a climb to the finish much like the final
day time trial here, while the Stage 2 summit finish and Stage 5’s mountain
stage – with only 4KM of descending after the hors categorie trek towards La
Punt should be ideal opportunities for him to take time either through the
attack or setting a high pace thanks to the backing of his strong BMC squad.
Last year’s winner Rui Costa – third in the recent Criterium
Du Dauphine s a strong second favourite but may be a vulnerable in the last day
time trial and despite that effort, doesn’t have form as strong as Van Garderen’s
this season although he’s a genuine contender. Michele Scarponi’s Giro form
would make him a huge threat but it’s hard to know he’ll have recovered from
such a brutal event in such a short space of tim and Simon Spilak – if back to
his Romandie best – might be a better bet to challenge Van Garderen. Tanel Kangert
is another one who comes here after a brutal Giro, and it’ll be interesting to
see what Thibaut Pinot – France’s great hope to become their main Tour De
France contender after his top 10 showing last year – as this looks to be the
best route for him he’s had so far this season and ahead of a route more suited
to his talents he will want to show some good form, but our vote lies with
Tejay Van Garderen.
Advice
5 pts win Tejay Van Garderen (15/8 Bet Victor)
Stage 1
The first stage of the Tour De Suisse is a short, undulating
prologue at 8KM with sections that average 9% going uphill close towards the
finish, and it tends to suit GC men and power riders alike. Peter Sagan
actually won it last year – when the course was 1KM shorter and peaked hard in
the middle, and might be worth a small punt again to beat Cancellara and Van
Garderen – both of whom will go close – but Moreno Moser, a young Italian with
plenty of all round promise even if not on the level of Sagan who was third
last year and should be well suited towards today’s test of power over a 10 minute
period.
Advice
1 pt Moreno Moser (12/1 Bet Victor)
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