Riders to watch in TdF Yellow jersey

As far as I’m concerned, there are only three- Defending champion Chris Froome (Sky), former champion Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) and Vincenzo Nibali (Astana). As far as I’m concerned, it’s still Froome’s Tour to lose. But his form and his preparation are not as the same in the past two years. On the other hand, Contador has been tearing the peloton since the start of the 2014 season and three weeks ago, he dropped Froome in the Criterium du Dauphine.

In fairness to Froome, he crashed badly in that race. However, I think that he was stronger than he showed after the crash and deliberately stepped off the pedals to play possum. I may be watching too much conspiracy theories but I think that Froome is ready. I just hope that Contador isn’t buying all of that.

Nibali, can realistically win the Tour if both Froome and Contador allows him. The Italian is just a notch below the couple in terms of climbing and TT. Contador has no weaknesses but Froome is a better climber and in the TT. Froome’s Achilles heel may be his descending where Nibali and Contador are two of the best when the roads tilt downwards.

Below the three are Alejandro Valverde (Movistar), Tejay Van Garderen (BMC) and Andre Talansky (Garmin). Valverde had a different preparation, preferring to do camps instead of doing prep races. Van Garderen, who placed 5th in 2012, is still looking for his form the since then. Talansky surprised Contador by the winning the Dauphine but it was more of Contadors’ respect for Froome that he allowed Talansky a long leash that he couldn’t pull back. A repeat is unlikely.

Verdict: Froome Green jersey

The green jersey is sometimes mistakenly attributed to the fastest sprinter but its given to the most consistent finisher. Consistent here means the most consistent rider in terms of order of arrival, not the time difference.

For the past two years, the green jersey has been owned by crowd favorite showman, Peter Sagan. Sagan is not a pure sprinter and he’s not a pure climber so he can climb better than Mark Cavendish, Marcel Kittel or Andre Greipel, the top three fastmen on the Tour.

At the same time can sprint better than Froome, Contador and Nibali. And that makes him a consistent rider. But make no mistake about it, he can win stages especially in hilly finishes.

Verdict: Sagan Polka dot jersey

The Polka Dot jersey is for the best climber. There used to be a great competition for this jersey when Frenchman Richard Virenque targeted this jersey, winning 7 jerseys between 1994 and 2004.

Lately, it has lost its luster, becoming an auxiliary ambition.In the last 5 years, the jersey has been won by Franco Pellezotti (09), Anthony Charteau (10), Samuel Sanchez (11), Tommy Voeckler (2012) and Nairo Quintana (2012), names that can hardly cause a stir, unless you’re a dyed in the wool cycling fan.

This year, the winner could come from someone who can climb but who is way below the overall classification, and therefore, not a threat to the leaders.

Verdict: Pierre Rolland or any lucky rider who finds himself in mountain breakaway.