The best on the biggest stage: this rule does not apply at the Tour de France, which starts in Bilbao on Saturday. A handful of stars are missing from the most important cycling race in the world - not all of them voluntarily.
Remco Evenepoel
The Belgian prodigy dominated the Giro d'Italia until his coronavirus exit. As a result, speculation quickly arose that Evenepoel would now ride the Tour after all. However, the 23-year-old is sticking to his plan and is preparing for his title defence at the Road World Championships. Not a bad idea, as the route of the Tour with its few time trial kilometres is not exactly tailor-made for Evenepoel.
Primoz Roglic
The Tour will probably remain his big dream. Roglic has won the Vuelta (several times) and the Giro (once), but the Tour victory in 2020 snatched from his grasp on the penultimate day by Tadej Pogacar will haunt him forever. Last year's winner Jonas Vingegaard has overtaken him in his team, which is why Roglic will have to look for other goals or another racing team.
Geraint Thomas
Victory in the Giro was snatched away from him on the penultimate stage, but the Welshman proved that he is still Team Ineos' best cyclist. However, despite his third place last year, the 37-year-old had no chance against Pogacar and Vingegaard. The Tour will miss him and his biting sarcasm.
Chris Froome
Since his terrible crash in 2019, the four-time Tour winner has never returned to his old level. But the 38-year-old is still a big name. Last year, Froome even finished third on the stage to Alpe d'Huez. Nevertheless, his team Israel is doing without the British rider's appeal.
Sam Bennett
The Irishman's fall from grace continues unabated. Bennett won the green jersey in 2020 and wanted to launch another attack by returning to the German team Bora-hansgrohe. But his performances were simply too weak. Bora is not taking Bennett to the Tour and will not be renewing the contract with the expensive sprinter.
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