The race for the yellow jersey
Who will win the 2015 Tour de France? The battle for the yellow jersey is more open than ever. The best riders in the world are competing across 21 stages of terrain. Here are our favorites for cycling's top event.
10. Bauke Mollema - The Dutch climber
In his hometown of Groningen, the lands is fairly flat but Dutchman Bauke Mollema is known as a mountain specialist. Mollema, who arrived late to cycling, is a consistent rider in the mountains and his only weakness so far is his time trail. DW Prediction: Not enough to be right at the front.
9. Joaquin Rodriguez - The cigar
Purito or the cigar is what Joaquin Rodriguez is known as after leaving his Team ONCE teammates on the mountain side, sending a cigar-gesturing motion as he went. The 36-year-old is still a strong mountain rider, but is also capable of a bad day. DW Prediction: Explosive, but not what he once was.
8. Jean-Christophe Peraud - the latestarter
Jean-Christophe Peraud is a humble rider. He won't be riding to win the tour, he says. The allrounder from Toulouse was second in last year's general classification though. The time trials hold him back though and time will likely work against the 38-year-old late starter. DW Prediction: Not as strong as last year.
7. Romain Bardet - the ambitious rider
Team coach Vincent Lavenu is sure that Bardet has the character of a Tour winner. Romain Bardet is a hard-worker and continues to improve year after year. Alongside his cycling career, Bardet is studying business and the 25-year-look is becoming just that in the cycling world. DW Prediction: Hot candidate for the white jersey, but not the yellow.
6. Tejay van Garderen - Armstrong's neighbour
After Lance Armstrong's fall from grace, van Garderen is America's next great hope. In his four Tours so far, Armstrong's neighbour has twice finished fifth.The 26-year-old is improving his mountain strength, but as a time trialist he lacks the speed. DW Prediction: Close to the best but not one of them.
5. Thibaut Pinot - Mr. No Fear
A cyclist who fears uphill. It's hardly the best conditions to work in, but Frenchman Thibaut Pinot once struggled with such fears. No longer. Now, Pinot flies up and down the mountain. DW Prediction: Strong uphill, but in both team and individual time trials short on good time.
4. Vinzenco Nibali - The Shark
"The Shark of Messina" has still got the drive, but is no longer the clear favorite, as was the case in 2015 when he left Contador, Froome and Quintana in his dust. His strength is that he's good on all terrains and his team, despite their bad reputation. DW Predition: He will wear yellow, but not on the final day.
3. Nairo Quintana - The Quiet One
Great gestures and lots of talk is something Nairo Quintana leaves to others. The 2014 Giro winner is an exceptional mountain climber, who has left Froome and Contador standing. Nevertheless he remains a quiet figure and stays focused on the race. Perhaps that is his strength? DW Prediction: A real contender, but still a little weak on the flats.
2. Alberto Contador - Mr. Battlesome
He is the strongest rider of his generation having won the Tour, Giro and Vuelta. On the other hand, he has tested positive for Clenbuterol and is believed to have been a client of Fuentes. Contador continues to polarise the sport, but will retire at the end of next year. DW Prediction: Close to victory, but the yellow jersey will cost him too much.
1. Chris Froome - The Machine Man
A typical picture of Chris Froome: His arms out at an angle, his knees pumping hard, his gaze fixed on his speedometer. The 30-year-old Brit with Kenyan roots is fixed on his number, but rides like a machine on the mountain, as if he's remote controlled. Thanks to his incredibly strong team, Froome is set for glory. DW Prediction: Froome will be drinking champagne on the ride into Paris.