The favourites for the 2022 Tour de France - Who will be cheering in Paris?

Enric Mas - the secret favourite

With the Vuelta a Espana Mas has already finished second on the podium twice, but the Mallorcan has not yet really warmed to the Tour. In the past, he lacked the necessary punch to attack the podium, and the team's tactics often seemed indecisive. The time trials, possible wind edges and the cobblestones on the Stage 5 will be what Mas and his Movistar team fear the most. If he clears the hurdles without losing too much time, he could be ready for the podium at the age of 27.

Facts, figures and data Enric Mas

• Spaniard
• 27 years
• 1,77 m
• 61 kg
• Team Movistar
• Climbing ****
• Time trial ***
• Team ***
• Tour record: 3 starts; fifth in 2020

Daniel Felipe Martinez - the plan B

Martinez takes over for compatriot Egan Bernal, who is still rebuilding his form after a serious accident in the spring. Last year, the 26-year-old rode alongside Bernal as a helper in the Giro d'Italia already in fifth place and also shone with top results in 2022. Martinez is strong on the climbs and very solid in the time trial. The team also has two other favourites for the overall classification in Geraint Thomas and Adam Yates.

Facts and figures Daniel Felipe Martinez

• Colombian
• 26 years
• 1,72 m
• 63 kg
• Team Ineos Grenadiers
• Climbing ****
• Time trial ***
• Team *****
• Tour record: 2 starts; 28th place (2020); 1 stage win

Aleksandr Vlasov - the debutant

The lanky mountain specialist will start his first year with the Raublinger racing team as captain and one of the favourites at the Grande Boucle - the rest of the team's tour specialists are focusing on the Giro and the Tour of Spain. After a strong spring in which Vlasov won the Tour de Romandie, among others, he is a candidate for a place in the top five on his debut in France.

Facts, figures and data Aleksandr Vlasov

• Russian
• 26 years
• 1,86 m
• 68 kg
• Team Bora-Hansgrohe
• Climbing ****
• Time trial ***
• Team ***
• Tour balance sheet: first participation

Jonas Vingegaard - the Joker

The Dane was the discovery of the 2021 Tour when he was not one of the favourites and stepped into the breach after Primoz Roglic's withdrawal and finished second for Team Jumbo-Visma. Whether the strong climber will be allowed to ride on his own account or will have to put himself at the service of Roglic will probably only become clear during the Tour.

Facts, figures and data Jonas Vingegaard

• Dane
• 25 years
• 1,75 m
• 60 kg
• Team Jumbo-Visma
• Climbing ****
• Time trial ***
• Team *****
• Tour record: 1 start; second in 2021

Primoz Roglic - the unfinished man

After losing at the last minute in 2020 and dropping out early in 2021, Roglic is burning to win the Tour. He has already won the Tour of Spain three times. To make it happen in France this year, the former ski jumper has to get through the first week in one piece. And, as he has done too often in the past, he must not shoot his powder too early.

Facts, figures and data Primoz Roglic

• Slovenian
• 32 years
• 1,77 m
• 65 kg
• Team Jumbo-Visma
• Climbing ****
• Time trial *****
• Team *****
• Tour record: 4 starts, second in 2020, 3 stage wins

Tadej Pogacar - the defending champion

The high-flyer of the past two years is an almost complete rider and the top favourite to win the Tour. Pogacar has impressively demonstrated his class in the mountains and has already won two individual time trials at the Grande Boucle. His supposed biggest weakness so far has been his team. However, UAE Emirates has strengthened its team with top riders, which will make it even more difficult for opponents to attack Pogacar.

Facts, figures and data Tadej Pogacar

• Slovenian
• 23 years
• 1,76 m
• 66 kg
• UAE Team Emirates
• Climbing *****
• Time trial *****
• Team *****
• Tour record: 2 starts; winner 2020 and 2021; 6 stage wins