Tour de France 2016: strategy, favorites, and technology at the service of cycling
Sky and its star lineup to dominate on the road
Michal Kwiatkowski, world champion in 2014, will not be part of Team Sky in the 2016 Tour de France. Despite his talent on the road bike, David Brailsford has opted for a team made up of riders in better form. With cyclists like Geraint Thomas, Mikel Landa, Wouter Poels, or Sergio Henao, Sky is betting on a relentless strategy in the mountains and on the flat stages.
Froome, the big favorite to win his third yellow jersey
With a solid team and a measured approach to avoid wearing out before the third week, Chris Froome arrives as the favorite. He has already demonstrated his superiority in key races such as the Dauphiné Libéré. This edition of the Tour presents a challenge that combines power, strategy, and a perfectly tuned road bike for high-level competition.
The battle for the throne: Quintana, Contador, and the mountain challenge
Nairo Quintana and his preparation to stop Sky
The Colombian arrives at the Tour after showing off in the Route du Sud, and with an optimized time trial bike that has allowed him to improve his performance. Quintana will have a well-structured Movistar team, with Alejandro Valverde and other key climbers. His goal: withstand Froome's attacks and take advantage of the mountainous terrain.
Contador, without the Giro, but with renewed ambition
Alberto Contador, one of the biggest names in road cycling, has carefully prepared for this edition of the Tour. He has avoided racing the Giro d'Italia to arrive fresher. Supported by Peter Sagan, Majka, and Kreuziger, he will look to attack when Sky shows signs of weakness in the high mountains.
The playing field: a Tour for climbers and time trial experts
A demanding route that favors the specialists
The 2016 Tour de France covers 3,519 kilometers with key stages in the Pyrenees and the Alps. With nine mountain stages and four summit finishes, the cyclists best prepared for technical climbs will have the advantage. On this type of route, both a lightweight road bike and a mountain bike adapted for training become key tools for preparation.
Time trials, key in the fight for the lead
With two time trial stages—one of 37 km and another mountain time trial of 17 km—teams have had to optimize their technology. Choosing the right bike and specific gear ratios can make the difference between reaching the podium or being left behind.
Technology and surveillance: the Tour is also played out in the laboratories
Controls against mechanical doping
After the scandal of hidden motors in bicycles, the UCI and the Tour organization have implemented much stricter control measures. With magnetometers, thermal cameras, and real-time analysis, the aim is to ensure that all road bikes used comply with the regulations. Professional cycling thus enters a new era of technological surveillance.