Following Team Ineos’ decision to expel Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas from their Tour de France squad, Jumbo-Visma, the UK team’s biggest rival for the yellow jersey, reacted with surprise news that was unexpected.
To date, both teams had set up a three-guide setup for the tour, with Froome, Thomas and reigning champion Egan Bernal Ineos leading, while Primož Roglič, Steven Kruijswijk and Tom Dumoulin will lead Jumbo-Visma.
Zeeman said the team expected the two Tour winners to be part of the leadership trio for the then Ineos Grenadiers.
“No, it was a surprise to us,” said Zeeman Cycling news on Wednesday morning. “Normally I would have expected these guys to leave. But it’s always difficult [to judge] remotely because you never know what kind of benefit plan is behind the preparation. Each team has its own approach.
“We didn’t draw too many conclusions from the Dauphiné for us either because you never know what the big plan behind a strategy is. It’s also possible that they already have a plan. So it will be exciting. We will have now to see. “
The 2019 Giro d’Italia winner Richard Carapaz was an unexpected addition to the Tour roster, which was set to defend his title earlier in October. Andrey Amador is also there and joins expected squad members Jonathan Castroviejo, Michał Kwiatkowski, Pavel Sivakov, Dylan van Baarle and Luke Rowe.
With two current Grand Tour champions on the roster, an aspiring GC star in Sivakov and a number of top domestics, the Ineos roster hardly looks weaker, if Froome and Thomas are excluded at all. Zeeman took the same view and praised the strength of the British team.
“Ordinarily, I’d always say they’re not stronger because of these two guys [Froome and Thomas – Ed.] are world class riders but it’s Ineos and they have such deep depth in their roster that they can bring the Giro d’Italia winner who normally wouldn’t go to the Tour. I think they have a very strong team, “said Zeeman.
“Your substitutes for Froome and Thomas are impressive drivers, but of course it was also a surprise. In these times after the Corona break, every team plans for winter, but in the end it is clear that the Tour de France was decided a week earlier. Anything can happen during any part of the preparation.
“You made your choice and I think you are such a big squad with very strong drivers that I think you have a very strong team. You can fight for yellow with these guys.
Zeeman said the changes will certainly change the dynamics of the race and the strategies used. The Dutchman said Ineos would now likely focus more on Bernal’s opportunities than on joint leadership. After all, Sivakov has only completed one Grand Tour during his career and finished ninth in last year’s Giro, while Carapaz probably trained to peak at this year’s Giro.
“That depends on the strategy, of course. Usually we were prepared for an opponent with a trident strategy, but now it will probably be more focused on Bernal. Of course that changes something in the strategy.”
“First we have to see exactly how they race. You won’t tell us, but it depends on the roles of Sivakov and Carapaz. Is it all-in for Bernal or do they have plans to race with more leaders, one more open. ” Strategy? We’ll see that during the race. “
Kruijswijk Tour decision to come at the weekend
While Ineos made their decision based on form and tactics, Jumbo-Visma could still make changes of their own. Co-leader Steven Kruijswijk, third on the Tour last year, suffered a shoulder injury and a cut on the elbow after falling from the Critérium du Dauphiné on stage four.
As a result, the Dutch driver is in a race against time to recover in time for the tour and Jumbo-Visma may be forced to bring in a reserve driver, Zeeman said. Roglič, who also crashed and was later abandoned, is doing better as he injured his hip and suffered a street rash.
“It will depend on the days ahead,” Zeeman said of Kruijswijk. “Steven has had a really bad fall. He’s still in a lot of pain, he has sores and shoulder pain. He’s trying to exercise a little and take care of his recovery, so we are in close contact every day. I expect that Am Weekend we will make a decision about it.
“Primož is fine. Of course he needs to recover too, but we are optimistic about his recovery.
“We have some riders on standby. This week we’re looking at all the options and analyzing how everyone is in shape. We’ll take care of that for the coming week. We have some options and we will do that internally.” regarding Steven and the drivers who could replace him. “
Climber and super-domestic Laurens De Plus, linked with a move to Ineos in 2021, would normally advance in the event of a leader’s departure, but he will not be one of the standby riders should Kruijwsijk said fail Zeeman.
“He hasn’t recovered yet. He’s still having medical problems. He’s slowly recovering, but he’s absolutely not ready to take part. He’d be by far the best guy to come in, but unfortunately he’s still recovering. Us hope he does. ” be at the Giro but he’s not ready to be with the tour. “
