They will be eight Italian runners who from Saturday we will see engaged on the roads of the Tour de France. As many as in 2021, one more than in 2023 which remains the year of the historic low.
The most awaited is definitely Alberto Bettiol: the new Italian champion runs on his home streets, is finally experiencing a season with continuity at a high level and is one of the free hitters of the EF Education Easypost, so he can go hunting for stages.
A stage success is also the goal for Giulio Ciccone: the Abruzzese of Lidl Trekforced once again to miss the Giro d’Italia, showed good condition at the Dauphiné, even if he then had to deal with other small physical problems.
Two elements are deployed by the Astana Qazaqstan: it’s about Michele Gazzoliwhich will be part of Mark Cavendish’s train, and of Davide Ballerini who, in addition to working for the British sprinter, will certainly try to get into some good action.
Similar task to that of Dancers for Luca Mozzato in the Arkea B&B Hotels: the Veronese will serve Arnaud Demare in the sprints but will have the opportunity to play his cards on certain days.
Gianni Moscon he is instead part of Remco Evenepoel’s “guard” in the Soudal Quick Step and he will be among the men called to work for the captain especially in the initial stages of each fraction.
Practically when Moscon finishes its work, that of will begin Matteo Sobrero serving Primoz Roglic: the Piedmontese will have the task of staying as close as possible to the team’s captain Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe.
Finally there is Davide Formolo from the Movistar who will be one of Enric Mas’ trusted men but will certainly have the opportunity to aim for the big target.
SO OVER THE LAST DECADE
Let’s see how the number of Italian runners at the start of the Grande Boucle has evolved over the last ten years. In 2014 (the year of the last Italian triumph, signed by Vincenzo Nibali) there were 17, one less in 2015, 12 in 2016 and 18 in 2017, the last year in which the teams were able to field nine riders each.
Since 2018, eight riders for the 22 teams at the start (with a reduction that brought the starters from 198 to 176 in a grand tour) and therefore 13 Italians at the start, 14 in 2019 (the year of the last Italian stage victory, also signed by Vincenzo Nibali), 14 in 2020, 8 in 2021, 14 in 2022 and 7 last year.
