The 2019 Tour de France could be one of the most intriguing versions of the race in recent memory. Chris Froome will not be there to try to win another Yellow Jersey due to serious injuries while defending the champion Geraint Thomas, has been up and down since winning the race last year. If you want some clarity on what to expect at the 2019 Tour de France, what the experts have to say could help you.
It’s safe to say that Whit Yost of Bicycling will be among the last people to be surprised if Nairo Quintana gets the yellow jacket at the end of the 2019 Tour de France. For Yost, it seems that this year is the perfect time for a racer like Quintana to top the competition, citing the issues the other top contenders are going through right now. And with Chris Froome very much unlikely to race at the 2019 Tour de France due to a crash-related injury, the door is wider than ever for the Colombian to finally win his first Tour de France title. Quintana had a forgettable 42nd finish at Gran Premio Miguel Indurain, but he’s had strong performances in other events he joined in this year, including a runner-up finish at Paris-Nice and an eighth-place finish at Vuelta a San Juan Internacional. He is 10th at the ongoing Critérium du Dauphiné as of this writing. Quintana is +1500 to win the 2019 Tour de France.
Cycling News
Expert
Winner
Cycling News
Jakob Fuglsang
In their own power rankings for races expected to be at the 2019 French Open, Cycling News appear to be high on 34-year-old Fuglsang. Fuglsang (+2000) had some down moments this year. He went from standing on the podium for going third at the Itzulia Basque Country before getting told he technically finished fourth with the race committee deciding that Bora-Hansgrohe’s Emanuel Buchmann deserved to take third place despite a lapse in judgment near the end of the race. Nevertheless, Fuglsang appeared to have moved on from that bit of a strange incident by going on to win Liège-Bastogne-Liège some two weeks later.
Sigma Sports
Expert
Top riders to watch out for
Tim Russon
Chris Froome, Geraint Thomas
Russon of Sigma Sports wasn’t so straightforward in picking his champion of the 2019 Tour de France but expressed favoritism for the duo of Froome and Thomas. Well, Froome is now out of the equation, after getting sent to the hospital with serious injuries he will not recuperate completely in time for the Tour de France. Froome suffered fractures in a crash during stage four of Criterium du Dauphine. Thomas, meanwhile, is the defending Tour de France champion, but has been slow to get into form after his win last year. Thomas (+275) admitted that he’s having weight issues, though, he appears to be rounding into prime form after finishing third at the Tour de Romandie back in May.
TopBet Writer – Ryan Simpson
View Ryan’s picks, predictions, and betting analysis for the 2019 Tour de France here.
