Tour de France 2014: how the rivals to champion Chris Froome match up

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/jun/28/tour-de-france-chris-froome-alberto-condator

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Chris Froome, GB, Team Sky, age 29

Defending champion and, as of 12 June, when he was leading the Critérium du Dauphiné having won two stages, the big favourite for the Tour. That’s changed a little after he crashed two days out and suffered over the final weekend. Should time trial better than the rest and climb at least as well but he has significant weaknesses – tactical knowledge, bike handling and racing experience – and he faces a stiffer task than in 2013 if the opposition rise to the task.

Alberto Contador, Spain, Tinkoff-Saxo, 31

The most seasoned challenger out there, the Spaniard has looked close to his best again this year, has tweaked his preparation, and has some very strong team mates at Tinkoff-Saxo to support him. Contador climbs well but has time trialled inconsistently in recent seasons; his great strength is his pure racing ability – the competitive streak and nose for an opportunity which enable him to stage ambushes pretty much anywhere and everywhere. On form he’s a huge threat.

Vincenzo Nibali, Italy, Astana, 29

The Italian has Vuelta and Giro wins to his name and was obviously holding back in the Dauphiné – as he did before coming third in the 2012 Tour – so should hit Yorkshire in just the right form. He’s under pressure owing to a lack of results this season but if he can keep his nerve he is as good as Contador when it comes to seizing the moment. A great descender, average time triallist and decent climber, his team could be his achilles heel – Astana aren’t on the same level as Sky or Tinkoff-Saxo.

Andrew Talansky, US, Garmin-Sharp, 25

America is looking for a standard bearer for the post-Armstrong generation and the 25-year-old is a definite candidate to step up after unexpectedly winning the Dauphiné. He’s not quite at the level of Froome or Contador over three weeks but can climb and time trial more than adequately and in Garmin he has a team who put a rider into the top 10 of the Tour most years and who will relish blowing the race to bits to create an opening for him.

Rui Costa, Portugal, Lampre-Merida, 27

Portugal’s world champion has just won the Tour of Switzerland for the third time in a row and should be a good outside bet for the podium. Costa came good in the last week of the 2013 Tour, winning two stages. Less flamboyant than Nibali or Contador, and a top-class climber, he has a way of waiting patiently until the right moment before going for the jugular. His one weakness is his team, Lampre-Merida – if Sky are Man City, they are Torquay United.