Following last year’s epic race, the 109th edition of the Tour de France is set to be a thrilling showdown between some of the best cyclists in the world. While the 2021 edition proved to be full of surprises, with forced withdrawals, unexpected heroes, and Tadej Pogačar’s dominance, this year’s race is lining up to match all that. Fans have started to cast their predictions and betting markets are already pricing the top contenders to win the race.
Tadej Pogačar
The Slovenian star and two-time winner of the Tour de France will return for an attempt at a third consecutive title. Pogačar, nicknamed Pogi by his fans and worldwide media, is once again the main contender to win the most important cycling tour in the world. The current no.1 of the UCI road racing ranking kicked the 2022 season with victories at the UAE Tour, the Strade Bianche, and Tirreno-Adriatico. Considered by many to be the best climber in the world, he is currently the top contender to win the 2022 edition of the Le Tour according to cycling betting markets at odds of -150.
In fact, a potential win wouldn’t come as a surprise and this isn’t only because of his impressive track record but also because the Tour de France odds have already correctly predicted his triumph at the race twice before.
Primož Roglič
Trailing Pogačar is his fellow countryman Primož Roglič who, at the age of 32, is looking for his first win at the Tour de France, following a second place in 2020 and a disappointing mid-race withdrawal last year. Roglic, also known as the Slovenian Dream Crusher, has in fact had his dream crushed twice before and the 2022 Tour could perhaps be his best shot at winning the race. While 2021 might have not been his year at the French Tour, the Jumbo-Visma rider did go on to win the gold medal in the time trial race at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
In 2022, the time trial specialist has already come first in the Paris-Nice race and Critérium du Dauphiné. He is currently priced to win the Tour de France at odds of +320 as Jumbo-Visma has been hailed by Jack Haig as the favorite at winning the Tour de France.
Jonas Vingegaard
Last year’s Tour de France domestique for Primož Roglič, Jonas Vingegaard is expected to match his 2021 Tour result and land a position on the podium. The 25-year-old Danish cyclist ran his first Grand Tour in 2020 but has since become one of the most promising names in the world of cycling. Following Roglič’s departure from the French tour last year, Vingegaard took his place as Jumbo’s main contender at the general classification. The outcome was better than anyone could have expected, as the rider secured two second-place summit finishes and went on to place second overall.
Unsurprisingly, he is a fundamental player in the plan to stop Pogačar from finishing first at the Tour de France. In 2022, he has already finished second at the Critérium du Dauphiné, where he won stage eight, and Tirreno-Adriatico, and won the La Drôme Classic. Betting houses price him at odds of +350 to win the Tour de France.
With the first three stages being held in Denmark, the 2022 race will mark the return to the Alpe d’Huez and even include a stage featuring the famous Paris-Roubaix cobblestones. This will certainly be an unmissable edition for cycling enthusiasts all over the world.
