Holly, Buffan and Woods’ Tour de France ambitions

Their choice is not surprising. They had been preparing for it for a few weeks. However, confirmation didn’t come until Tuesday for Holly and Boivin. Woods, it was his on Sunday, after his victory on the road to Duccitani.

I was looking forward to the next call on Tuesday, but I had a good thing feeling in the past weekssays Guillaume Boivin, of his choice.

Israel-Premier Tech’s Tour de France team also includes Australian Simon Clarke, who won a stage in last year’s race.

The other riders in the event are Belgium’s Dylan Tunis, Australian Nick Schultz, Latvian Christis Nylands and New Zealander Corbin Strong.

Key absent: Britain’s Chris Froome, four-time Grand Boucle champion.

Obviously, I am disappointed with this decision. The Tour de France holds an incredibly special place in my heart, the 38-year-old runner replied to the specialist GCN website. announced his intention to Back to the Tour de France in 2024.

It’s an important choice. This is the most important goal of the season, says Hugo Hall. If we miss the Tour, we miss our season a little bit. I am happy for my choice. This is not surprising, but it still needs confirmation. There are good contestants who stay home.

Hall wasn’t too concerned about being on the tour. His stage victory in Foix, on stage sixteen, last year, gave him good hopes for his fifth participation in the Tour de France.

[Ma victoire d’étape]This does not give a guarantee, but if you show that you will be at the same level, it is easier to convince the team to trust you, explains Hall. When you win once, it’s easier to say you’ll win because you’ve already done so. Weighs in the balance, that’s for sure.

Besides his stage wins, it’s his overall performance at the Grande Boucle since 2019 that makes him an obvious pick.

Accumulated years of experience. On every lap I made good splits, and showed good stability. I can research stages, but I also contribute to the successes of other runners. I’m versatile, it’s my strength to choose.

Hall says he’s in good shape compared to last year. But his victory does not make him the favourite.

It will be fun to win again this year, but it is very difficult to win the Tour, Hall excuses. I don’t think there is any expectation that I will win this year. There are more efficient riders than me who can’t do this every ride.

My goal is to be there to play for stage wins. I’d like to have a slam dunk, but it’s not the ultimate end. I’m still realistic that it won’t be in every round. I have to be smart and pushy.

When asked about the expectations of the Quebec public, he replied: I want to be at the front to excite the people who will follow me. Will you work to win? We’ll see.

Michael Woods as the leader

Michael Woods will be one of the captains of the IPT team, along with Dylan Teuns and Corbin Strong. Even if he wants to do well in the general classification for his fourth Tour, his priority remains a stage victory. And the opportunity could arise from the first two phases, in the Basque Country. Two stages to match Woods’ style, with the legendary yellow jersey on the line.

It would be a dream, Woods admits, while remaining realistic. The first two stages look like the Ardennes classics and suit me, but the problem is that Pogacar and Vingegaard are very strong. It’s not impossible, but with these two riders it would be very difficult.

We could also add several names of contenders on these Basque stages: Julian Alaphilippe, Wott van Aert, Matteo van der Pol. That’s why on the IPT side, we don’t see ourselves as a favourite.

We will have ambitions with Michael and Dylan (Teuns), but we don’t appear as a big favourite, Guillaume Boivin specifies. We can dream about it. Dylan and Mike have the advantages to make it happen. We are not the favorites, so it is not up to us to take responsibility for these stages.

It’s certainly a possibility, but we wouldn’t be disappointed if we didn’t take the jersey, Woods adds. It’s the round, and it’s the highest level. If I didn’t waste time in the early stages, I would be very happy.

Not wasting time is Woods’ other big goal. The first week passed without major problems.

I’m still dreading the tour, Woods admits, smiling. Because of the constant accidents and dangers, I am always afraid of crashing in the Tour. The only Grand Tour where I didn’t crash, I finished 7th (Vuelta in 2017). The big goal is to finish the first week healthy.

Guillaume Boivin, handyman

Guillaume Boivin at the start of Stage 1 of the 2022 Tour de France in Denmark

Photo: Getty Images/AFP/Bo Amstrup/Ritzau Scanpix

Guillaume Boivin’s 2023 Tour is already better than last year’s, even if it only starts in a week’s time. Is that his preparation is much better than it was in 2022.

i’m great. Boivin says it has nothing to do with last year’s preparations. Last year we were chasing points left to right and I was part of this group of runners chasing points. I didn’t have the perfect preparation to be selected and do the tour. It is day and night. This year, I’m in great shape.

Boivin was called for reinforcements only a few days before the start in Denmark, due to the withdrawal of his teammate. The next three weeks were difficult for him.

Last year, I knew I was going to struggle. I’ve been a professional for 15 years, I know from my data what my level is. When you know you’re in shape, you feel calm and calm as you approach the round.

Preparation is good this year. Boivin was able to do so Hours needed to prepare for the tour.

” Weight is very good, strength is good, I am healthy. I am sure. I can’t wait for it to start. we are ready. »

Boivin will be witty From the team, to use his words. It will be like throughout my career. I can go over bumps. I am the most sprint oriented, I will definitely support Corbin (Strong). I will also have a chance to slip into the splits and play my cards.

This is also one of Boivin’s main goals this year, to be able to play for victory on stage.

Hugo made me dream of last year’s victory. I also would like to be able to fight for a staged victory.

Boivin wants to take advantage of the Tour and race hard. Be sure to check it out.

It’s fun to be back at this level. The past three or four years have been my best years. I want to take advantage of the opportunities, I worked hard to get there.

Running hard is the approach of the entire Israeli team – Premier Tech. With two stage wins in 2022, the team would like to repeat their exploits this year.

The 110th edition of the historic race, covering 3,404 kilometers over 21 stages, will start on July 1 in Bilbao, Spain, and end on July 23 in Paris.