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David Hunter, de man achter het Twitter-account Cyclingmole, volgt het wielrennen op de voet. Eerder berichtten we al over zijn geheime tips voor het nieuwe seizoen. Deze keer gaat hij alle ploegen van de World Tour bij langs voor een sterkte/zwakte-analyse. Hieronder lees je wat Hunter verwacht van Jumbo-Visma en de andere ploegen, en hoe hij ze beoordeelt, want hij geeft ieder team sterren (van 1 tot en met 5)
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Sommige namen zijn all bekend, andere bij het grote publiek totaal nog niet bekend. Lees hier van wie de Schotse wielerschrijver David Hunter veel verwacht in 2021.
1) Jumbo-Visma
They have Wout Van Aert, the man who can do it all. His performances in Strade and MSR were brilliant, but I think most of us expected he would do something like this. His performance in the Tour was one of the most sensational things I've ever seen.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 26, 2021
There was talk about him targeting 1 week stage races, but that seems to have gone. I agree that the time isn't right, he still has many classics and monuments to win. Once he completes his hectic spring schedule he can then focus on helping the team. What a rider.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 26, 2021
I'm interested to see how Sam Oomen gets on. After some bad luck with injuries he seems to have lost his way a little. He is a very talented climber, I hope we can see him back to his best.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 26, 2021
Don't forget that George Bennett also had a very successful 2020. Burgos, Tour de l'Ain, Gran Piemonte and Il Lombardia, this is the best I've ever seen him. He's targeting the Giro, and it wouldn't surprise me to see him finish in the top 5.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 26, 2021
Also coming through the ranks are the youngsters: Dekker, Leemreize and Kooij. The lack of sprinters means that Dekker will get lots of chances, it wouldn't surprise me to see him winning early on. Kooij is a huge talent, but won't fully join up with the team until August.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 26, 2021
Another rider not to forget is Mike Teunissen. He had a sensational 2019, but injuries hindered him in 2020. He is a very important part of the classics team, it's not all just about Wout.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 26, 2021
Team rating - *****
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 26, 2021
2) Team DSM
Tiesj was so close to winning Paris-Nice, he would have if the final stage had gone ahead. He wins big this year, no doubt in my mind. We'll have to see if that's one day or stage races. My mum will be pleased.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 23, 2021
SKA had a brilliant season, all the more sweet as his 2019 was a bit of a struggle. He benefits from the way the team ride, I think he'll pick up more wins in 2021. Obviously losing Hirschi is huge, but the team are used to making bold moves, it's all about the team cohesion.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 23, 2021
Then we have a huge raft of very talented youngsters: Arensman, Daniese, Donovan, Eekhoff, Leknessund, Van Wilder and Vermaerke. This is an embarrassment of riches.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 23, 2021
Team rating - ****
3) INEOS Grenadiers
Then you have Bernal and Carapaz, two riders who have already won a grand tour. Carapaz was brilliant at the Vuelta, if he maintains that level then he should be leader at the Giro, but what about Egan? Has he recovered from his back problems? How does he fit into the team?
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 23, 2021
Adam Yates and Dani Martínez also arrive. Yates is incredible in 1 week races, and his TT should improve now too. He has to be leader in races like the Basque Country, and he might even have a go at some 1 day races. I have no idea where Martínez fits in.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 23, 2021
De Plus has also signed, a rider with a big reputation. Of all their signings I see him as an out and out helper, but would he have left Jumbo for that? Also in the mix are Sosa and Dunbar. Sosa is in danger of stagnating, he is a brilliant climber and looks out of place here.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 23, 2021
Classics will be fun as Pidcock will go swinging with the big boys. They also have Ganna who wants Roubaix, especially as he'll get a little bored of winning every TT he rides! Don't forget about Narváez, he is great in lumpy races without big mountains.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 23, 2021
Team rating - *****
4) Team Emirates UAE
I did expect the team to strengthen the mountain train for Pogačar. He deservedly won the Tour, but his team got lucky. There is no way they could have controlled the race, winning on stage 20 was perfect for them. Teams will play it differently next year, that's why they ...
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 26, 2021
Trentin is a good addition to the classics team, but it's not a strong unit, unless Kristoff gets back to his very best, then it is. Gaviria needs a few big wins, it's been a while. Richeze isn't what he used to be, he needs some new helpers.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 26, 2021
Team rating - ****
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 26, 2021
5) AG2R Citroën
Sarreau is a hugely consistent sprinter, he brings guaranteed wins, something this team really need. I'm not sure what to expect from Jungels, riders rarely succeed after leaving QuickStep. Don't get me started on Calmejane.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 21, 2021
Champoussin is an exciting talent, he should see a bounce from doing the Vuelta. Cosnefroy is a brilliant rider, he's now ready to challenge in the biggest one day races, I see him winning something big this year.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 21, 2021
Team rating - ***
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 21, 2021
6) Astana-Premier Tech
Vlasov is now their big GC rider. His progression this year was a big surprise. He has a lot of talent, we'll now see how he copes with being undisputed team leader at the age of 24, that isn't easy to deal with.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 21, 2021
The Izagirre brothers are good, solid professionals. They are happy just getting on with the job in hand and they also deliver a few wins too. The rest of the squad isn't up to much, but that's okay considering the strength of their big 3.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 21, 2021
They still aren't interested in sprinting.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 21, 2021
Team rating - ***
7) Bahrain Victorious
Teuns had a shocker this year, but at least he has time on his side. The same can be said of Mohorič, both riders have the ability to win big, but cannot afford another poor season. Bilbao continues to develop, but still seems destined to be a helper, which is wrong.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 21, 2021
This is a squad that underwhelms me.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 21, 2021
Team rating - **
8) Cofidis
Viviani had a rubbish year, I don't see anything changing. To win races he needs to be placed into a brilliant position, which Cofidis can't do. He no longer has the speed to come from deep and save his blushes after awful positioning. He'll also have one eye on the Olympics.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 21, 2021
Geschke is a good signing, he can still produce results in 1 week races. Wallays is a rider I like, but their classics squad isn't very good, so we'll have to see what he can do. Herreda is quality, the medium mountains man.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 21, 2021
Team rating - *
9) Decueninck-QuickStep
As Fabio is recovering, Hodeg will get plenty of opportunities to prove that he's a good sprinter, which has been questioned of late. Cav is back, a classy move by the squad, but he's not there to win races. Ballerini is one who impresses, he sprints fast for a big guy.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 21, 2021
iIo see Alaphilippe win the worlds, he deserved it, and I still think he would have won Flanders. Big goals have to be Flanders and Liège, to start with, and then the Olympics. I think we'll see him becoming a little selective about races and not going full all the e the e he e e
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 21, 2021
Then we have Almeida. What a Giro, really surprised me. Can he maintain that level? Can he cope with the pressure? I think yes is the answer to those questions. He can climb, sprint and TT, he has the lot. Top of the list for him is his first pro win.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 21, 2021
In the classics they have their usual gang, with Sénéchal continuing to move up the ranks and Lampaert ready to win a monument. But forget about that, I just want a win for Tim Declercq. I also want to see how Steimle develops.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 21, 2021
They also have riders like Cavagna and Honore who can achieve a lot this year. Throw in the youth of Bagioli, Garrison and Vansevenant and you start to realise why they didn't need to sign riders this year.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 21, 2021
Team rating - *****
10) EF Education-Nippo
Higuita is their other big GC rider. So much talent and so bloody fast in a sprint. Uran still has plenty in the tank, but not sure what he should focus on as I don't see him making the top 5 in a grand tour anymore.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 21, 2021
Bettiol, Valgren and Cort will make a strong classics unit. All three are quality and can surprise the big teams. They also have Bissegger who is a huge talent.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 21, 2021
Guerreiro proved in the Giro he is very strong, but very dumb. He needs managed.
Team rating - ***
11) Groupama-FDJ
Démare climbed very well in 2020, something he used to do earlier in his career. This is the key to him winning more races that would normally have been too hard for him. His sprinting speed also seems to be better, possibly with the extra confidence from winning.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 23, 2021
At 30, there is still plenty left in the Pinot tank. Free from having to try and go from yellow, I expect a good year for him. He is such a good climber, he should be challenging for the pink jersey at the Giro.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 23, 2021
Madouas is one with a lot of potential. He will pick up wins in hilly one day races, but I'm not sure if he's ready yet to challenge for the win in races like Amstel, maybe next year. He's one of many who are targeting the yellow jersey after the opening stage of the Tour.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 23, 2021
And keep an eye out for Jakey Stewart. Despite his age he'll get a good few opportunities this year, especially as the team didn't replace Sarreau. He can get over some tough hills and packs a fast sprint too, the perfect combination for many French races.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 23, 2021
Team rating - ***
12) Israel Start-Up Nation
Woods seems to have eventually found out how to win races, after many years of making mistakes he is now learning. But why on earth did they sign him for 3 years?Impey's a good rider, but he's 36 and won't have much help in the big races.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 23, 2021
Dan Martin returned to a high level at the Vuelta, which was good to see. He still has the ability to win races, and should now have a bit more confidence again. The rest of the squad is the usually mix of 32 sprinters and a few guys from Israel.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 23, 2021
Team rating - **
13) Lotto Soudal
Tim Wellens rediscovered that winning feeling in the Vuelta, he'll be back at it this year. Missing from his palmaires is a big 1 day win, this has to be his goal in 2021. Mr Gilbert is still targeting San Remo, but that obviously won't be easy.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 23, 2021
Looking at their kids, I expect Thijssen and Vanhoucke to make the biggest splash. Thijssen is very fast and will benefit from riding his first GT. Vanhoucke was going really well for the first half of the Giro, then faltered. He'll learn from this and get better in 20201.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 23, 2021
Kron is one who can surprise. Just 22, but he's already been around for a bit and knows how to race. He packs a punch and likes short hills. Małecki is a rider who surprised me in the Tour of Poland, where he finished 6th. He's got talent.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 23, 2021
Team rating - ***
14) Movistar
Mas was 5th in the Tour and Vuelta, you can't argue with that level of consistency. Despite seeming to have been around for ages, he's only just turned 26. Next step for him is winning stage races, he has the ability.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 23, 2021
Mühlberger is an interesting signing. I think he is one of the best climbing breakaway riders in the world, but I hope he isn't tempted into trying to win from the GC group. I'm a fan, but he's not good enough to do this. Stick to what you're good at Gregor!
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 23, 2021
And then we have their exciting youngster: Jorgenson, Jacobs, Norsgaard, Alba and Rubio. All of these guys should be better in 2021 and could get impressive results. Movistar have a squad that is starting to take shape.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 23, 2021
Team rating - ***
15) Team BikeExchange
My issue is that they have too many similar riders. With Matthews, Stannard, Groves, Mezgec and Smith they have 5 riders who can get over hills and sprint well, that's too many guys who can do the same job.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 23, 2021
The team still have Simon Yates, one of the best climbers in the world. I want the team to change his approach. In recent years he's been selective about races he's targeted, I want to see him going full more often.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 23, 2021
Team rating - ***
16) Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Materieaux
In my opinion they have one rider who is head and shoulders above the rest, Aimé De Gendt. It's contract year for him, no doubt they'll be a few offers coming in from bigger teams. He's capable of landing a few big results this year, remember him on the Poggio last year?
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 23, 2021
Vliegen is another capable of getting a couple of wins, he can cope with hills and has a good sprint.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 23, 2021
Team rating - *
17) Qhubeka-ASSOS
2020 was Nizzolo's best season, can he back it up? His form was a surprise to me, I didn't think he had it in him.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 26, 2021
The move for Aru took the biscuit. Why on earth would a team like Qhubeka want a washed up, good for nothing, imposter on their team? Whoever signed him needs to take a long, hard look on themselves.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 26, 2021
The rest of the team look like they were put together by one of these youngster over on the Youtube. You know who I mean, those little boys who play some cycling manager game and think it actually means something.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 26, 2021
Team rating - *
18) Trek Segafredo
Trek have the classics squad required to win the biggest races. Kirsch, Theuns, Simmons, Pedersen and Stuyven. That's as strong a five as you are likely to get. We knew what most of these guys can do, but Simmons is the wild card. Despite his age, he should not be underestimated.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 26, 2021
Sprint wise it will be good if Moschetti is fully recovered. That was a horrible crash, but if he can get back to his old level then Trek have a talented sprinter on their hands. I also hope that the team trust Theuns, he has what it takes to win races. Keep the faith.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 26, 2021
Team rating - ***
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 26, 2021
19) BORA-hansgrohe
They have Buchmann, one of the best GC riders in the peloton. Injury stopped him in 2020, but he'll be back to his best in 2021. He basically guarantees top 5 in every stage race he rides, his consistency is ridiculous. They also have Konrad and Großschartner for GC too.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 21, 2021
Politt is brought in to help Sagan in the classics. We've not really seen Sagan with a teammate deep into the big races, he'll be glad of the help. Is Sagan on the slide? I don't think so, he's still got plenty in the tank.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 21, 2021
Then they have Schachmann and Kämna chasing stage races and possibly breakaway wins in grand tours. Kämna was outstanding at the Tour, we should be very excited about him this year. I also hope to see Fabbro given a few opportunities.
— David Hunter (@cyclingmole) January 21, 2021
Team rating - ****
- Cor Vos