Saxo Bank-SunGard manager feels that unveiled route suits Evans and Contador, but will force Andy Schleck to attack
Bjarne Riis was one of those present at today’s official unveiling of the 2012 Tour de France route, and the Saxo Bank-SunGard team manager likes what he sees. The Dane won the race in 1996, as a Deutsche Telecom rider, and was instrumental in teammate Jan Ullrich’s victory the following year; he has since won the race as a team manager, through Carlos Sastre in 2008, as well as making the podium several times, through Ivan Basso and Andy Schleck.
Despite signing defending champion Alberto Contador for the 2010 season though, Riis was denied a second victory as manager; the Spaniard could only manage fifth after losing time through a number of first week crashes and a niggling knee problem.
”I think it's a good route for the 2012 Tour de France,” said the Dane, “and it secures an exciting race as the climbers are forced to attack using every single opportunity as there are only a few uphill finishes. I could have wished for one more mountain stage but with no less than 100 kilometres against the clock, we can't really complain.
“The route surely favours Cadel [Evans (BMC Racing), the defending champion – ed],” he conceded, “who can climb and who's excellent on the time trial, but with Alberto on our team it looks to be a pretty exciting Tour de France, as he can do well on a route like this too.”
Contador’s chances in the race will, of course, depend on the outcome of the appeals from the International Cycling Union (UCI) and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to the Court for Arbitration in Sport (CAS) over the clenbuterol positive that he returned on the way to his 2010 victory.
While Riis feels that the course will suit Contador, a current member of his team, he does not feel the same way about Andy Schleck, who was with him until he left to form the Leopard Trek team with brother Fränk this year.
“A rider like Andy is forced to attack from a distance,” he said. “It's surely refreshing to see some new climbs in the race and you shouldn't underestimate stage 7 [between Tomblaine and La Planche des Belles Filles – ed], which appears to be a medium hard stage but it could be dangerously crucial.
“I'm happy about the route and I'm already looking forward to get going with the preparations for the Tour,” he concluded.