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Giant – Alpecin announced a nine-man Tour de France roster Thrusday that should allow the German squad to contend on a variety of stages in July, with a potential general classification contender making the start as well.
Now several months removed from the training crash that derailed his early-season ambitions, John Degenkolb will lead the team in the sprints. The speedy classics star has never won a stage in the race, but counts five career runner-up stage placings across his three previous Tour de France appearances.
Simon Geschke, who nabbed an emotional stage win at the 2015 Tour, is another option in the battle for stages, particularly on the days that prove a bit too hilly for Degenkolb.
24-year-old Frenchman Warren Barguil will lead the team’s GC campaign. He made his Tour debut last year, finishing 14th overall in Paris, and will make the start fresh off a podium performance at the Tour de Suisse.
According to a team release, Barguil won’t need to worry about any GC leadership questions despite the presence of Tom Dumoulin — the versatile Dutchman is headed to France with stage wins on his mind. Preparation for the upcoming Rio Olympics is his main objective in racing the Tour next month.
Giant – Alpecin for the Tour de France
Warren Barguil (FRA)
Roy Curvers (NED)
John Degenkolb (GER)
Tom Dumoulin (NED)
Simon Geschke (GER)
Georg Preidler (AUT)
Laurens ten Dam (NED)
Ramon Sinkeldam (NED)
Albert Timmer (NED)