Lotto Soudal has lined up a mix of experience and fresh faces for the 2017 Tour de France.
André Greipel, who turns 35 mid-July, conquered eleven stage wins at the Tour the past six years. Since 2008, the German has won at least one stage in every Grand Tour that he rode, amounting to a total of 22 victories. No doubt he will want to continue this winning streak in the upcoming Tour. Just like during his six previous participations Greipel can rely on the support of his friend Marcel Sieberg (35) for whom this is the eighth Tour de France. That’s as many as Adam Hansen (36) who will start the 25th Grand Tour in his career and the eighteenth in a row that he could complete.
Another very experienced rider is Lars Bak (37). The Dane has already put many breakaways to an end so Greipel could sprint for victory. Bak is about to start his seventh Tour de France. Also Thomas De Gendt (30) is a familiar face at the head of the peloton, but of course he has a reputation as a breakaway rider too. Just think of his victory on Mont Ventoux last year, on the twelfth stage of the Tour. It’s his fifth participation in La Grande Boucle.
Tony Gallopin (29) also has beautiful memories of the Tour. In 2014 he wore the yellow jersey one day and he won a stage. It is the seventh time he will start the Tour and that’s also the case for Jürgen Roelandts who turns 32 during the second stage, on July 2.
Tim Wellens (26) and Tiesj Benoot (23) are the youngsters in the team. After a first participation in 2015 Wellens is back for his second Tour. Benoot will make his Grand Tour début next week.
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