TOUR DE FRANCE | 06/26/2024 | 09:20
by Francesca Monzone
After 4 years of absolute dominance, this year Tadej Pogacar will not be able to win the white jersey for the best young rider. The Slovenian turned 25 last September 21st and for this reason, he has become too old to compete among the very young. Different story however, however Remco Evenepoel, who will be able to compete among young people until January 25th. The Belgian, still being 24 years old, in this special ranking he’s the number one favorite, but we all know that he came to the Tour to win the jersey of a more precious color. To be precise there are 31 runners under 25 years old who will compete to win the white jersey and among these the names of Carlos Rodriguez, Tom Pidcock, Biniam Girmay, Matteo Jorgenson, Juan Ayuso and Arnaud De Lie.
At Visma-Lease a Bike there is Jorgensonwho won the white jersey at the Tour of the Dauphiné this season and, if the team gives him some leeway, then in addition to fighting for the general classification, he could find himself in Paris dressed in white.
At Ineos-Grenadiers there are even two riders who will be able to aspire to the white jersey, they are Carlos Rodriguez and Tom Pidcock. The Spaniard is 23 years old and in 2024 he achieved important results, such as fourth place in the general classification at the Dauphiné and first at the Tour de Romandie, where he was naturally also the best young rider. The results of the Briton are also important, but when he starts to climb, then everything will remain to be seen and in any case he has not yet said what his Tour will be like.
He is also in the list of the best young people Santiago Buitrago: iThe Colombian finished fifth on the Wall of Huy in the Fleche Wallonne, and also obtained fifth place in the classification for the white jersey at the Dauphiné and for this reason he becomes a good candidate. For Spain there is also Oier Lazkano, fourth best youngster at the Dauphiné showed that there are few things he can’t do, navigating time trials and bumpy roads well. There is Hi,, which will be a good bet for this Grande Boucle. The twenty-one year old who races with the UAE Emirates will have to be at Pogacar’s service, but the team will leave him field if he sees that everything is under control.
As we have already said, the Eritrean Girmay will also be there, but his plans are probably more about winning a stage rather than the white jersey. Girmay is also looking towards the Olympics and he too has not yet said what he expects from this Tour de France. Finally there is French Romain Gregoire, born in 2003 and racing with Groupama FDJ. The qualities are all there but we will have to see what his team has decided for him and his talented teammate Lenny Martinez.
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