EXPERT OPINION

What’s your podium?

2018 in reverse. Chris Froome will want a fifth win badly and that quiet, ruthless streak over Thomas will give him the edge. Tom Dumoulin’s reorganised May after crashing out of the Giro will be to his blessing, but he’ll finish second again.

Who else will be in the top 10?

Super domestique Egan Bernal, Mr Consistent Steven Kruijswijk, a refreshed Thibaut Pinot and Nairo Quintana, who will struggle to find a route more suited to him than this year’s.

Who will be the surprise GC package?

Enric Mas has been quietly having a decent 2019, even though he’s raced sparsely. He was top 10 in the Algarve and Catalunya and 11th in the Basque Country. The high mountains will suit him and though he’ll have little climbing support at Quick Step that didn’t stop him finishing second at the Vuelta last year.

Which sprinter will dominate?

Groenewegen could be formidable during the opening week. He’s shirked a lot of the main WorldTour races this year so hasn’t come up against his rivals that much, but he’s looking stronger and faster. Plus, he’s had the consistent build-up his rivals Gaviria and Ewan lack.

Who will win the other jerseys?

A record-breaking seventh green jersey for Sagan, because is anyone else even trying to compete against him these days? A mountains jersey for Alaphilippe again? Can anyone stop him this year when he targets something? Bernal for the white jersey, because he could also win the Tour, too.

What do you think of the route?

It’s totally backloaded on the Alps of the final week. Hopefully it will build steadily to an explosion of attacks, rather than being so tough the race peters out in a quiet stalemate.

What will be the tactical narrative?

Like last year, all the talk will be on the innerIneos leadership battle and at what point the road will decide who sits on top. La Planche des Belles Filles will give us an early indication, but not many teams will want the burden of yellow from here. Expect little to be decided until the time trial on stage 13.

What else are you looking forward to?

Seeing whether La Planche des Belles Filles predicts the Tour winner as it has the past three times it has featured in the race.