The best on the biggest stage: This rule does not apply to the Tour de France, which begins on Saturday in Bilbao. A handful of stars are missing from the most important cycling race in the world – not all voluntarily.
Remco Evenepoel
The Belgian prodigy dominated the Giro d’Italia until his Corona exit. As a result, speculation quickly arose that Evenepoel would now ride the tour after all. But the 23-year-old is sticking to his plan and preparing to defend his title at the Road World Championships. Not a bad idea, because the route of the tour with the few time trial kilometers is not exactly tailor-made for Evenepoel.
Primoz Roglic
The tour will probably remain his big dream. Roglic has won the Vuelta (multiple times) and the Giro (once), but Tadej Pogacar’s 2020 Tour win, snatched on the penultimate day, will haunt him forever. In his team, last year’s winner Jonas Vingegaard has outstripped him, which is why Roglic has to look for other goals or another racing team.
Geraint Thomas
Victory at the Giro was snatched from him on the penultimate stage, but the Welshman proved he’s still the best tour rider on Team Ineos. However, despite his third place finish, the 37-year-old had no chance against Pogacar and Vingegaard last year. The tour will miss him and his biting sarcasm.
Chris Froome
Since his horrible fall in 2019, the four-time Tour winner has never returned to his former level. But the 38-year-old is still a big name. Last year Froome even finished third on the stage to Alpe d’Huez. However, his team Israel does without the attraction of the Brit.
Sam Bennett
The Irishman’s fall continues unabated. In 2020 Bennett won the green jersey, with the return to the German team Bora-hansgrohe he wanted to start a new attack. But the performance was simply too weak. Bora is not taking Bennett to the Tour and will not renew the contract with the expensive Sprinter.
