It has been shaking for a long time, but it’s now official. Stefan Bissegger will participate in the Tour de France with his EF Education team, like last year. Marc Hirschi was called up at the last minute to replace the Italian Matteo Trentin, positive for Covid, in the UAE team.
Bissegger (23) provided a negative Covid test just in time, following having had to leave the Tour de Suisse at the end of the 5th stage due to an infection. The Thurgovian had also had to give up last week to participate in the Swiss championships in Steinmaur.
Bissegger and Hirschi join their compatriots Stefan Küng (Groupama-FDJ) and Silvan Dillier (Alpecin-Deceuninck) for the 109th Tour de France.
Hirschi, stage winner and super-combatant of the 2020 Tour, had not been retained in the initial selection. The 23-year-old Bernese, who had to leave the Tour de Suisse early on June 17, due to the Covid, was part of the group for Tadej Pogacar’s second victory last year.
Chances during the initial timer
The Tour will start on Friday in Copenhagen with a 13.2 km individual time trial, in which Bissegger and Küng are likely to do well. The Grande Boucle will end on July 24 in Paris.
David Gaudu has also been entrusted with the responsibilities of sole leader of the Groupama-FDJ team, with a role of“guardian angel” in the mountains assigned to Thibaut Pinot. “We will have a single leader”announced the boss of the French team, Marc Madiot, who has set the podium as a goal for the young Breton rider (25 years old).
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