TOUR DE L’AVENIR 2019 – OVERALL PREVIEW
It’s almost time for the 2019 edition of the Tour de l’Avenir aka the U23 version of the Tour de France. The Tour de l’Avenir is without a doubt the most well known U23 race on the calendar and has a long and illustrious history. With a varied route, it looks like it’s going to be a great edition!
Before we look at this year’s route and contenders, let’s take a quick look at the list of winners from the past 10 year:
2018: Tadej Pogacar
2017: Egan Bernal
2016: David Gaudu
2015: Marc Soler
2014: Miguel Ángel López
2013: Rubén Fernandez
2012: Warren Barguill
2011: Esteban Chaves
2010: Nairo Quintana
2009: Romain Sicard
If that list tells one thing, it is that the whoever wins the Tour l’Avenir is almost destined for succes in the World Tour.
The Route
This years Tour de l’Avenir has a varied route with only one clear sprint stage, a TTT, several hilly stages and 3 MTF in the Alps.
Stage 1: The only real sprint stage this year, but it is still not completely flat with several minor hills on the road. Kaden Groves has proven to be one of the fastest sprinters of the U23-circuit this year and will be the man to beat.
Stage 2: We are not a fan of TTT’s in stage races like this, but the organizers have put in 32km one over relatively flat and untechnical terrain. Countries like Denmark, Great Britain and Belgium will try to gain as much time as possible for their GC-riders, while Colombia will try to limit their losses.
Stage 3: The first of many hilly stages that are suited for the puncheurs. The first 100km are not that difficult, but the climbs in the final 40km are too difficult for the sprinters to survive.
Stage 4: This stage is almost the like the reverse of stage 3. A hard first 100km and an easy last 50km. The sprinters will probably be able to hang on or return in the final descend, so we expect a sprint finish.
Stage 5: A hard start in this stage, with the riders immediately facing a 8km climb with a 6% gradient. This looks like it is going to be another stage for the puncheurs and climbers.
Stage 6: The last stage before the rest day, so there is a big change the riders will go all-in. Since this is also the final opportunity for the sprinters, they will try everything to hang on on the final climb and keep the peloton together.
Rest Day: After stage 6, the young riders will get a well deserved rest day before they head into the Alps.
Stage 7: The first Alpine stage. The first 40km are flat, but afterwards the climbs follow in quick succession. The finish is about 3km after the top of the final climb, so the riders that wants to win today need to have a good sprint in addition to climbers legs.
Stage 8: No, this not the profile of the final climb, this is the entire stage! The stage consists of just one massive 23km HC climb with an average gradient of 7.7%. This stage will no doubt deliver spectacle, with the GC-candidates and climbers going all-out from the start.
Stage 9: Another short stage of just 67.2km, but it will be a very hard day for the riders with several tough climbs. GC-riders that lost time yesterday might try to attack early to make up some time.
Stage 10: The final stage is another hard stage in the Alps, with the riders facing the famous Glandon and Croix de Fer in the early parts of the stage. We can expect fireworks with the GC riders going full gas one last time.
The Favorites
Einer Augusto Rubio
The Colombians are slowly taking over the cycling world, and Rubio might be the next in line. He was second in the Girobio behind his countryman Ardila and took the win in the final mountain stage. Since Ardila is not here, Rubio is the leader for the Colombians.
Andrea Bagioli
Italy also has a very talented generation coming up, with Bagioli being one of their biggest talents. He was extremely strong in the Ronde de l’Isard, winning two mountain stages and the GC. He was also (one of the) favorites for the Girobio and Valle d’Aosta, but he failed to get a good GC due to illness and a failing organisation respectively. If he is fit and in good shape, he will definitely be one of the main contenders.
Mauri Vansevenant
Son of famous Belgian rider and laterne rouge winner Wim Vansevenant, he has already achieved better results than his father at a young age. He won the Valle d’Aosta this season and was also very strong in the Course de la Paix. In addition he has a very solid team in his support, both for the TTT as well as in the mountains.
Kevin Inkelaar
Inkelaar might have gone a bit under the radar this season and he is probably not as well known as the previous riders, but he is having a very consistent season so far with a 12th place in the Girobio and a 3rd place in Aosta.
Tobias Foss
Originally, Leknessund was supposed to be the leader of the Norwegian squad with Foss being the co-leader. However, Leknessund injured his shoulder in a crash which means Foss is now their sole leader. He has had a strong spring this season, but got ill after Liege-Bastogne-Liege. Therefore his form remains a bit of a mystery, but if the form is good he can challenge for the top spots in the race.
Clement Champoussin
The French hope for a good GC this race. He was very good in the Ronde de l’Isard and Course de la Paix, achieving a podium place in both races. There is some doubt over his form since he was quite poor in the Tour Alsace., but if the form is there he can achieve great things.
Dark horse: Thomas Pidcock
Dark horse is probably not the correct term for Pidcock since he is one of the most well-known U23 riders at the moment. But until recently, he was not really seen by many as a true GC rider that could achieve results in the high mountains. This changed after he took a suprise win at La Planche des Belles Filles in the Tour Alsace recently. It will be very interesting to see if he manages to be a threat in the high mountains.
Outsiders: Arensman, Alba, Covi, van Wilder, Valter
The Winner
The Tour de France had a Colombian winner this year in Egan Bernal, and we think the ‘mini’ Tour de France will also have a Colombian winner with Einer Augusto Rubio taking the victory!
