<strong>1. CHRIS FROOME (Gbr)</strong> <strong>Team </strong>Team Sky <strong>Age </strong>28 <strong>Tour best</strong> 2nd (2012) <strong>Strengths </strong>Has won four of the five stage races (Oman, Romandie, Criterium International, Criterium du Dauphine) he entered this year. One of the best time trialists, possibly the best climber. Backed by a strong team <strong>Weaknesses </strong>Has never led a team on the Tour de France <strong>2. RICHIE PORTE (Aus)</strong> <strong>Team </strong>Team Sky <strong>Age</strong> 28 <strong>Tour best</strong> 34th (2012) <strong>Strengths</strong> Showed by winning Paris-Nice this season that he is a decent stage racer. Also finished second overall in Criterium du Dauphine behind Froome <strong>Weaknesses</strong> Is Froome's lieutenant so no room for personal ambition <strong>3. ALBERTO CONTADOR (Esp)</strong> <strong>Team </strong>Saxo Tinkoff <strong>Age </strong>30 <strong>Tour best </strong>1st (2007, 2009) <strong>Strengths </strong>A formidable attacker, always on the offensive, which is a big plus in a very mountainous race. The only active rider with titles in all three grand tours. Solid team behind him <strong>Weaknesses </strong>Lack of results this year. Form does not look that good <strong>4. CADEL EVANS (Aus)</strong> <strong>Team</strong> BMC <strong>Age</strong> 36 <strong>Tour best</strong> 1st (2011) <strong>Strengths</strong> Knows how a Tour de France is won. Never gives up. Finished third overall in the Giro after a miserable start to the season <strong>Weaknesses </strong>At 36, he may not perform well in two grand tours in the same year, especially on a very tough Tour route <strong>5. TEJAY VAN GARDEREN (USA)</strong> <strong>Team </strong>BMC <strong>Age </strong>24 <strong>Tour best </strong>5th (2012) <strong>Strengths </strong>Versatility. A decent time trialist and good climber. Last year's performance is a confidence-booster <strong>Weaknesses </strong>He is not BMC's team leader so little room for personal ambition <strong>6. RYDER HESJEDAL (Can)</strong> <strong>Team </strong>Garmin-Sharp <strong>Age </strong>32 <strong>Tour best </strong>6th (2010) <strong>Strengths </strong>Very good climber possibly backed by a solid team. Knows he can pull off a great performance having won the Giro last year <strong>Weaknesses </strong>Withdrew from 2013 Giro with illness and crashed heavily during the Tour of Switzerland earlier this month <strong>7. JOAQUIM RODRIGUEZ (Esp)</strong> <strong>Team </strong>Katusha <strong>Age </strong>34 <strong>Tour best </strong>7th (2010) <strong>Strengths </strong>An excellent finisher. Has the ability to produce sudden accelerations on short and steep climbs <strong>Weaknesses </strong>Has only ridden one Tour de France. Mediocre time trialist <strong>8. THIBAUT PINOT (Fra)</strong> <strong>Team </strong>FDJ <strong>Age </strong>23 <strong>Tour best </strong>10th (2012) <strong>Strengths </strong>Excellent climber. Took a stage on his Tour debut last year <strong>Weaknesses </strong>Not a good time trialist although he has improved. Lack of experience Follow us
