HeyItsSara

I see some only have 5 chosen but I know they are allowed 8 riders. I guess they are taking their time deciding who goes.

MinnMan

Froome not part of IPT squad.

He blames his equipment.

How the mighty have fallen.

PJay120

Cavendish will be riding with Astana!
Some have been following this drama, but some may not know. In 2021 TdF, Cavendish tied the record with Eddy Merckx for all-time stage wins, at 34.
Cavendish could have broken the record last year, but was not selected as part of the TdF crew for his team, Quickstep. Instead, the team selected Jakobsen, who had been riding very well. Jakobsen did win a sprint stage in 2022 TdF. Good thing! I bet he felt a lot of pressure!

Astana has Morkov and I am not sure who else as lead-out man for Cav. Morkov was his lead-out man in 2021, I think. And, this combo worked for a few stage wins.

Many know: Cav has been an incredible sprinter. He is getting "old" in terms of pro Gran Tour riders, but if things fall his way, he certainly can hold his own.
Plus, he has an uncanny ability to see gaps as they open up, leaving his lead-out man / going it alone, and making it work.

It does not always work, but he sure has a sense of when it might work. So, he has very high prospects of winning a sprint stage.

He will then have the record of the most TdF Stage wins. This record will hold for a very long time. There is no one riding who is currently anywhere close.

Marcel Kittel has 14 stage wins, with most recent in 2017
Peter Sagan has 12 with most recent in 2019.
Andre Greipel has 11, with most recent in 2016.

Sagan is the only rider who on the outside could possibly be considered and he simply won't. He was brilliant for a couple years, then faded a bit, and has announced retirement from pro road cycling.

So,, if Cav can win one sprint this July, he will hold all time stage win record for a very long time.

HeyItsSara

I think everyone knows that Cav is poised to make history. I didn't realize how far away everyone else is though.

MinnMan

Morkov still rides for Quickstep. He will not be with Cav and Astana.

slcbob

I saw some snippet that Renshaw was signing with Astana as a consultant for the sprint train. I think it's maybe a train of 1 plus the Cav caboose with all those Astana climbers, and it's not quite getting the band back together. Plus it could be a little awkward if Bernie Eisl does the interview.

We'll see what Cees Bol has in him. He's no Morkov but maybe he can get Cav up to where he can ooze past Jakobsen and latch on. Or nudge by Groenewegen or Philipsen. He's going to have to go full Sagan / McEwen freelancing, but he can do it. Imagine the celebration if he does!

It would be outrageous if WVA defends Belgium's honor again like he did on the Champs in 2021. Beast.

Doge

I'd give the tie to the guy not sanctioned for PEDs 3 times (maybe 2 - I forgot).

PJay120

morkov - thanks! not sure howe i got that in my head.

MinnMan

Maybe mixed up with Moscon.

Funny though. A couple of hours after I wrote that, there was an article saying that Morkov wants to leave Quickstep. But that would be for next year and too late to help Cav.

gpsblake

Choosing Cavendish is good for 2 reasons... one is obvious, him chasing the record.. the 2nd is it gives Astana incredible publicity and sponsorship means a lot in cycling.

Hopefully Cav will make the time cuts as the beginning of the Tour is brutal this year. Stage 3 and 4 and perhaps 7 are his best chances.