Tour of the Alps 2018 – Overall Preview

By David Hunter

A race that many use preparation for the Giro, welcome to another edition of this fascinating race.

Route

Stage 1

We begin with a strange looking stage, dominated by two climbs. The final climb is 19.8km at 5.4%, that is a long climb. After a little descent, the stage ends with an uphill sprint.

Stage 2

The 2nd stage features some tough climbs. The final climb is 9km at 9.3%, making it a huge day for the GC contenders. Expect to see some huge gaps.

Stage 3

The organisers of this race love a descent to the finish. The cat 1 climb is 17km at 6.6%, before 12.7km at 4.1%. We then have a long descent, before the final run for home.

Stage 4

A medium mountain type of stage. The final climb is 6.5km at 6.5%, cresting with 10km remaining. Yet again, the riders then descend to the finishing line.

Stage 5

There will be huge interest in the final stage, not just from the riders in the peloton. The stage finishes in Innsbruck and features some of the lap circuit we will see in the World Championships, later in the year. The Olympia climb is 6.5% at 5.9%.

Contenders

Team Sky – Froome, De La Cruz or Rosa, you can take your pick. We still don’t have a decision about the Froome case, something which must concern him as much as the rest of us. In normal circumstances, this is when a Giro contender starts to hit form. Sky are very strong, which gives them other options. Can Froome cope with the mental pressure? I’m really not so sure, which would hand an opportunity to one of his teammates. De La Cruz has looked strong this season and Rosa recently won Coppi Bartoli. Sky have three options for the win.

Fabio Aru – another season where he seems to have had a few injuries. After completing his recent altitude camp at Mount Teide, he arrives with no pressure. He will hope to be competing for the win, but it can be very difficult predicting when he hits form, outside of the grand tours.

Miguel Angel Lopez – the Colombian was 2nd in Oman and Abu Dhabi, about time he won! Astana arrive with a squad that can match the power of Team Sky, giving their climbing superstar a big chance of success. He will love the mountaintop finish, but could be put under pressure in the many stages that end with a descent to the finish.

Louis Meintjes – the South African is another rider that struggles to peak outside of the grand tours. He is riding the Giro, so I expect to see him competing for the top 10.

Rodolfo Torres – this is a huge race for Androni, one they always like to do well in. Torres started the season well, finishing 4th in San Juan. Androni have a strong squad to support their leader and we could well see Ivan Sosa do well, he’s another of their super talented youngsters.

George Bennett – the Kiwi has enjoyed a good start to 2018. The climber has made massive improvements in recent seasons and the Jumbo coaches seem to be getting the best out of him. He will certainly finish in the top 10 and he’ll hope to make the overall podium. Given his recent form, he should have every chance of challenging for the win.

Thibaut Pinot – with only nine race days in 2018, the Frenchman is favouring a slow build up to the year. Despite this, he still managed to finish 10th in Catalunya. After a recent altitude camp, I think we’ll see him near top form and looking to win this race. The climbs are good for him, but he’s not known as a great descender, something that will hurt him in this race.

Domenico Pozzovivo – the little climber is a big fan of this race, winning it back in 2012. Bahrain have enjoyed a strong start to the season and this is Pozzovivo’s first chance to lead the squad. I would expect to see him competing in the high mountains and claiming a morale boosting performance ahead of the Giro.

Prediction Time

This should be a fight between Sky, Astana and FDJ. If Froome is on his A-game, then he will win, but he must be under a huge amount of pressure. Instead, I think we’ll see Miguel Angel Lopez taking the win. The Colombian really is a brilliant climber.

David Hunter

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