EF Education-EasyPost is gearing up for an thrilling problem on the 2024 Tour de France with a robust group and excessive ambitions for stage wins. With group chief Richard Carapaz recovering from sickness following a crash on the Tour de Suisse, the group is inserting its give attention to aiming for stage victories.
The group’s lineup additionally contains Alberto Bettiol, Stefan Bissegger, Rui Costa, Ben Healy, Neilson Powless, Sean Quinn and Marijn van den Berg.
His build-up to the 2024 Tour de France seemed promising, with a stage win on the Tour de Romandie on the finish of April, however he bumped into extra unhealthy luck within the Tour de Suisse with a crash on stage 4 left him with a minimize on his face that required stitches. He dropped out the subsequent day.
“After my crash at Suisse, I bought sick,” mentioned Carapaz within the group’s press launch. “My type will arrive late, however I’ll give my greatest for this Tour de France.”
The American group invested closely in Carapaz as their Grand Tour contender once they signed him in 2023, however he injured his knee in a crash on stage 1 and was compelled out of the race.
While the group may not have a rider who can compete in opposition to Tour de France favorite Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) and rivals Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike), Primož Roglič (Bora-Hansgrohe) or Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quickstep), Carapaz has confidence they will make an impression on the person phases as they did in 2023.
“Last yr was robust. I needed to go dwelling. This yr, we’re going for it once more. Everyone round me is aware of how a lot I’ve ready for this. We have a robust, versatile group. We can win on all types of terrain.
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“The first week will probably be very laborious, however I’ll attempt to get by it as greatest as attainable. Winning a stage is tremendous necessary. In the final editions, I used to be very shut, so profitable one could be crucial for me, but additionally to the group and everybody who ready for that second.”
The 2024 Tour de France begins in Florence, Italy, fairly than in France as Paris prepares to host the Olympic Games. The Grand Départ occurs to be happening in Bettiol’s hometown and will probably be his first race within the Italian champion’s jersey, giving him further motivation to strive for the primary race chief’s jersey.
“It’s going to be very, very particular,” Bettiol mentioned within the group’s announcement. “I do know the roads very well. I wish to win a stage on the Tour. I’ve been shut earlier than and know I can do it.
“This yr is absolutely necessary for me,” he added. “I’m not tremendous younger anymore. I haven’t got too a few years in entrance of me. Winning the Italian championship was a purpose and one other purpose is to win a stage within the Tour de France. To win on this jersey would imply loads to me.
“You must be prepared and also you at all times must battle, as a result of profitable within the Tour shouldn’t be like profitable in another races. It’s doubly laborious to win a stage on the Tour, particularly for an all-rounder like me. I believe the group is making a sensible option to go for phases. It goes to be enjoyable and actually thrilling.”
Healy will make his Tour de France debut after having a profitable Giro d’Italia in 2023 with a stage win. The first stage, with a a lot harder than regular elevation profile, is on his radar.
“I’d like to try to win a stage,” Healy mentioned. “I would like a fairly laborious day trip with a tough end. Stage 1 seems to be actually good for me, however there are just a few in the direction of the top of the second week as properly.
“Since the Ardennes, I’ve knuckled down and executed the altitude camps and a few good races. The preparation has gone properly for me. I’m excited that we’ll get to go for our personal alternatives.”
Powless was near profitable a stage within the Tour de France in 2022 and got here inside 4 seconds of taking the maillot jaune. This yr, he is struggled with a knee harm that stored him out of competitors for 2 months.
“I believe this was most likely the toughest yr I’ve had but with accidents and diseases, so I’m simply excited that I used to be capable of overcome that and nonetheless race the Tour de France,” he mentioned. “Winning a stage is my initially purpose, and I believe I’ve bought the health to do it. It’s nearly getting it proper on the day, simply following the best strikes and utilizing my vitality properly.
“I believe everybody on the group is raring to take their shot. Every one among us has one thing to show. We have not had the smoothest spring as a group and everyone seems to be chomping on the bit to make up for that.”
After his victory within the Portuguese championships, Costa can also be aiming to win a stage after a troublesome spring. He crashed in February on the Volta ao Algarve and suffered a concussion together with a damaged collarbone and scapula.
“I went by loads after my crash this spring. I labored very laborious to get match for the Tour and to get chosen for it. In the top, it labored out and I’m tremendous grateful for the choice and that the group believes in me,” Costa mentioned. “I’ll do my greatest to battle for a stage, battle as a group and get wins for the group. I consider we’ll win. We will get a giant one this yr.”
EF Education-EasyPost for the 2024 Tour de France
- Alberto Bettiol
- Stefan Bissegger
- Richard Carapaz
- Rui Costa
- Ben Healy
- Neilson Powless
- Sean Quinn
- Marijn van den Berg