All-Rounder Roundup

Of June’s two major pre-Tour de France tuneup stage races, this week’s Critérium du Dauphiné has a reputation for being the one most favored by the Grand Tour’s top General Classification contenders, and this year that is especially true. With Froome, Contador, Valverde, and Rodriguez opting to take on the Critérium, the upcoming Tour de Suisse is starting to look like the practice run for some of the Tour de France’s other favorites. Still, the Tour de Suisse startlist is sporting some big names, and with the three Spaniards not exactly blowing the doors off of the Dauphiné (though Froome looks dominant), many of the GC-types at the Suisse will be looking to prove that they, too, belong among the list of Tour de France podium favorites.

Some of the more well-known GC-type names in attendance at the Suisse? Tejay van Garderen, Rui Costa, Ryder Hesjedal, Michele Scarponi, Fabian Cancellara, and (obligatorily) Andy Schleck. However, just as is the case for the Critérium du Dauphiné, the top names at the Suisse may or may not decide to make an attempt at being the top performers overall. This is true for any race, of course, but it is especially true for the final race prior to cycling’s biggest event.

Still, BMC told Cycling News that van Garderen is looking for a win at the Suisse, and we’re inclined to believe that the American will give it his best shot. After a commanding performance at the Tour of California, van Garderen looks like he has only gotten stronger since his top 5 finish at last year’s Tour de France. With the team’s full support, it’s hard to see van Garderen as anything but a favorite.

Last year’s winner Rui Costa put in a strong performance at the Tour de Romandie in April, taking third (repeating his 2012 performance), showing strong form in advance of the Suisse. The rider from Portugal is the type who will probably not be sandbagging for the Tour de France, so if he’s feeling good, expect him to push for the GC at the Suisse with the full support of an ever-impressive Movistar team.

Canadian Ryder Hesjedal failed to defend his Giro title, abandoning the race before it reached its hardest stages, stating that his withdrawal was due to illness. It’s hard to say whether or not he’s back up to his form, but if so, he’ll be happy to have a chance to prove that he’s ready again to handle a big stage race. Michele Scarponi, on the other hand, had a very strong Giro, but he finished the whole thing and might not be ready just yet to push for a victory in the Suisse.

Cancellara won the Suisse a few years back, but since then he seems content to go for stage wins in his native territory; I don’t see why this year would be different, as he’s not a natural Alp-climber. Not much to say about Andy Schleck—he has yet to show that he’s still got it.

There are a number of other names who will challenge, especially given that many of them aren’t just here for the tuneup. Blanco is absolutely stacked. They bring a stable of impressive all-rounders to the Suisse. Steven Kruijswijk was 3rd here in 2011. Bauke Mollema took 5th that year and has had strong performances in some of the Europe Tour stage races so far this year. A bit under the radar still, Wilco Kelderman showed good form at this year’s Giro, placing within the top 20, and he was 5h in Romandie and 6th at the Tour Down Under. He’s a great time trialist and one to watch. Luis Leon Sanchez is here, too. The number of possible contenders they have makes it difficult to tab one as a winning pick.

Saxo-Tinkoff’s Roman Kreuziger, winner of the 2008 Suisse and at least on form enough this year to take a victory at Amstel Gold, should put in a strong performance; Nicolas Roche is here, too. Katusha’s Simon Špilak stands to build on his growing reputation as a strong GC guy after a 2nd place overall and a stage win in Romandie. In terms of form, he seems like one of the best bets to go far at the Suisse. Domenico Pozzovivo is another possible contender after a top 10 at the Giro.

Garmin’s Dan Martin has had a terrific year so far, winning Cataluyna and Liege-Bastogne-Liege. Given teammate Ryder Hesjedal’s big disappointment in the Giro, Garmin may be open to giving Martin a chance to show his stuff; this one may simply come down to whether Martin wants to push for victory or be content as a support rider. I think he wants to continue to prove himself as a GC type guy, and he certainly has the chops for a strong performance if he gives it his all. Mathias Frank is another interesting name whose role is as of yet unclear—surely he’d like to put in a strong performance in his home tour, and his past results have shown that he’s capable, but will BMC let him ride for his own edification?

Stagehunters

The aforementioned Fabian Cancellara will certainly produce some highlights in a number of stages, with time trials and hillier sprints awaiting his skillset. He had another laurel-filled Spring campaign and will be tough to beat on his home turf. On the flip side, Philippe Gilbert’s spring campaign was an immense disappointment. He has yet to earn his first victory of the year; he hasn’t even podiumed in a WorldTour race in 2013 yet. The rainbow jersey should be out for stage wins, but he and Cancellara will face stiff competition for points: Peter Sagan is here, coming off another strong Tour of California (after another amazing Spring). John Degenkolb and Orica’s Michael Albasini and Matthew Goss will be in the mix as well. This year’s “flat” stages seem to cater to all of these guys, with some bumps thrown in to keep things interesting. It will be interesting to see if Gilbert can finally notch his first WorldTour win this year against so many familiar faces. The Suisse has also potential for breakaway winners, so watch out for the ageless Jens Voigt, who showed California audiences in May that he’s still got it.

Stages

Stage 1: Quinto | 8.1km | ITT

Stage 2: Quinto > Crans-Montana | 170.1km | Summit Finish

Stage 3: Montreux > Meiringen | 203.3km | High Mountains

Stage 4: Innertkirchen > Buochs | 161km | Medium Mountains

Stage 5: Buochs > Leuggern | 176.4km | Flat

Stage 6: Leuggern > Meilen | 186.1km | Flat

Stage 7: Meilen > La Punt | 206km | High Mountains

Stage 8: Zernez > Bad Ragaz | 180.5km | Medium Mountains

Stage 9: Bad Ragaz > Flumserberg | 26.8km | ITT (Mountain)

GC Predictions

Winner: Tejay van Garderen

Podium: Rui Costa, Simon Spilak

Other strong contenders: Bauke Mollema, Wilco Kelderman, Roman Kreuziger, Mathias Frank, Dan Martin

-Dane Cash

Photo by Alfio Brignoni.