Top Sprinters At Tour De France

Sprint Favourites!

The Green Jersey or Points Classification Jersey is the second most important title to be won by the riders at the Tour after seeing the sprinters led out by their team, for a rapid finish in the last 200m. The point’s jersey is fought out, primarily on the plain or hilly stages or medium-mountain stage (provided the last 40kms or so is a flat) where, more points are up for grabs.

Some of the best sprinters are competing, despite the loss of Marcel Kittel. Here are a look at the favourites for the Green Jersey.

• Mark Cavendish (GBR)

Aged 30
Etixx-Quick Step

If we were to judge solely on Grand-Tour Stage wins, there is no name bigger than Cavendish right now. The 30 year-old from the Isle of Man has won 43 stages across all 3 Grand Tours, including 25 in the Tour De France alone. 2014 was a season to forget for Mark, but he has had a strong 2015 Season. He won the points Classification at the Tours of Dubai, Turkey and California. His team, Etixx-Quick Step have created a squad to support him during the sprints. His main lead out man will be Australian veteran, Mark Renshaw.

With very few plain stages in the tour this season, Mark will want to make most of them as he aims to win his 2 Points Classification at the Tour and take the Green Jersey off Peter Sagan.

• Peter Sagan (SLO)

Aged 25
Saxo-Tinkoff

As a pure sprinter, Sagan is at a slight disadvantage to his other rivals. However, he is a much more powerful climber than his rivals and is able to get the points either on the Flats or the Mountains. His consistency is what gets him the points, making him a 3 time defending champion of the Green Jersey in the Tour (it’s interesting to note, he won the points classification in 2014, without a single stage win).

With his team more focused on supporting Alberto Contador in the fight for the Yellow Jersey, he would have limited support from the squad, but in the last 3 years, he has shown he is more than capable of standing alone. However, both of his arch rivals, Cavendish and Krtistoff have beaten him several times this year already.

• Andre Gripel (GER)

Aged 32
Lotto-Soudal

The 32 year-old has won 13 grand tour stages and is always one of the main names up for the challenge. In the last 4 years, he has been consistently in the top 10 of the Points classification. This season, he has won a multitude of stages across various races and has shown competitiveness across various races.

He will be hoping to add to his grand tour stage wins but will have his task cut out for him as his rivals are also heading into the tour with great form.

• Edvald Boasson Hagen (NOR)

Aged 28
MTN-Qhubeka

The 28 year old Norwegian made his name for Team Sky (even was the lead out man for Mark Cavendish in 2012). He has 2 Tour De France Stage wins to his name and will be hoping to add more to his name as an outside candidate for the Green Jersey. With his team making a debut this season, he may just have a good lead out train although another competitor for him is teammate Tyler Farrar.

Edvald would have an edge over his team mate as he is the 7 time, Norwegian Time Trial Champion.

• Alexander Kristoff (NOR)

Since 2013, Kristoff has established himself as a member of the sprinting elite. The 27 year old Norwegian won 2 stages last year at the Tour and was runner up at the 2014 Points classification. He has to his account multiple accolades over the last 2 years across various tours, including a very successful 2015 season so far. He is hoping to carry the momentum forward and beat Sagan, at the Tour de Suise just a week prior.

Kristoff’s team, Katusha, are coming in with a mix and balanced squad, so one can expect him to be receiving maximum support from his teammates in the flats.

• John Degenkolb (GER)

Aged 26
Giant-Alpecin

Marcel Kittle’s withdrawn totally changed the complexion of the Sprint favourites. Now, his compatriot will be the main sprinter for Giant- Alpecin. John Degenkolb has 11 grand stage wins, but primarily, he has won them in the Vuelta. He has now been given a chance to really prove his credentials and so far this year, he has won some of the more iconic single day races including the Milan–San Remo and Paris–Roubaix.

• Michael Matthews (AUS)

Aged 24
Orica-GreenEDGE

The young Australian has had individual and team successes at the Giro and Vuelta. He will be defiantly looking to open a tally of stage wins in the Tour. As part of Orica, he will undoubtedly be a favourite with the rest of his team to win the Team Time Trial, however, some strong performances this year and his past success in the other grand tours indicate the Australian rider could be challenging at the flats.

• Tyler Farrar (USA)

Aged31
MTN-Qhubeka

The 31 year old American Sprinter, like Edvald signed for MTN-Qhubeka. He has 6 grand tour stage wins to his name. His sole win at the Tour was a tribute to his friend Wouter who tragically passed away at the 2011 Giro D’italia. He and Edvald will most likely be given equal treatment from a team not many can assess as easily as the others (as it’s their first time). It will be interesting to see which of the two get preference and can this team really spring a surprise or not.

Edited By : Akanksha Agarwal