Cycling season during the pandemic in 2020
Cycling races are struggling under the pandemic, including the sport of cycling itself. The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) had to make adjustments, causing delays in various events. The three major races, Tour de France, Giro d'Italia, and Vuelta a España all happen within a 100-day span, running from August to November. Recently, two popular cycling events overlapped during the weekend. For those who don't want to miss out, check out our list of recommended online casinos instead.
Dauphiné vs. Lombardy
The health crisis has affected the 72nd version of the Critérium du Dauphiné, a sizeable cycling event in France, which was initially scheduled in June. It has been pushed back to August (12.08.-16.08) and reduced to five stages, rather than the usual eight stages. The new route for the first stage from Clermont-Ferrand to Saint-Christo-en-Jarez was designed to replace the original course.
The first two stages were rewarding for Wout Van Aert and Primoz Roglic, both members of the currently powerful Jumbo-Visma team. The former time trial world champion Tony Martin played a vital role in their accomplishments, describing them as nearly equal, with an emphasis on teamwork and growth. The successes were a result of tireless effort.
Primoz Roglic managed to maintain the team lead after his second-place finish on the third stage in Corenc. Davide Formolo from Team UAE-Emirates took the win that day. An unexpected victory occurred in the fourth stage from Ugine to Megève, where Lennard Kämna from Team Bora-hansgrohe took home his first professional title.
During the same weekend, Jakob Fuglsang from Team Astana secured a win in Como during the 114th edition of the Tour of Lombardy (15.08.). He asserted his dominance on the reduced 231-kilometer route despite the high temperatures. The second and third place spots were taken by George Bennett (Jumbo-Visma) and Alexandr Vlasov (Astana). Disease forced the Italian event out of its typical autumn slot, placing it alongside the Tour of Southern France.
Crashes mar the victories
Kämna's success at Megève was overshadowed by a grave accident involving his teammate at Bora-hansgrohe, Emanuel Buchmann. Buchmann was taken to the hospital after about 30 kilometers with deep skin wounds. Thankfully, he avoided any broken bones.
The 20-year-old Belgian prodigy, Remco Evenepoel, experienced more severe injuries. A collision with a wall in Italy caused him to roll over and fall down a slope. His team, Deceuninck-Quick-Step, reported fractures to his pelvis, along with a bruised right lung. The severity of his injuries is being closely monitored, and his return to biking remains uncertain.
Upcoming Tours
The UCI has shifted the dates for the grand tours, which start in late August. Last year, the Tour de France took place in late June and was won by Colombian Egan Bernal. The new date for this year's event is August 29, with the race finishing on September 20. The route will be extended with 12 new stage cities featured on the schedule.
The Tour of Italy, known as the second-most significant stage race in cycling, was initially planned for May 9 but was one of the first races to be postponed due to the pandemic. The revised dates are between October 3 and 25. The route has been slightly adjusted to commence with four stages in Sicily.
The 75th Vuelta a España, considered the third grand tour, was initially slated to start on August 14 in Utrecht, but was made impossible due to the pandemic's impact. The new start date is October 20 in Irun, which means it will overlap with the last stages of the Giro d'Italia. The race in Spain concludes on November 8 in Madrid.
Betting Opportunities
Cycling bets offer many options for enthusiasts, including placing wagers on overall and stage wins, mountain and sprinter jerseys, and team victories.
Chances of winning during the Tour de France are determined by the historical accomplishments of the cyclists and their respective teams. Renowned participants such as Egan Bernal (2019), Geraint Thomas (2018), Chris Froome (2013, 2015, 2016, and 2017) are strong contenders. Primoz Roglic is also a significant contender, as he triumphed in the Vuelta in 2019 and is known for his exceptional time trial capabilities.
However, the betting companies offer low odds on these probable winners. If you desire to wager on the overall victor, do so. Nevertheless, predicting a one-day winner is a daunting task since numerous contenders are present, particularly in path races. Scrutinizing underdogs and their recent achievements is a judicious strategy.
Enhanced odds for proficient underdogs
One instance is Thibaut Pinot, who was forced to quit last year due to muscle-related issues. Despite this, he was the strongest rider in the Tour de France during the mountains race. At present, the 30-year-old Groupama-FDJ team contributor is perceived as France's ultimate hope. Pinot has a commendable chance of securing a spot on the podium.
The scenario is comparable to that of Tom Dumoulin from Team Jumbo-Visma. The 29-year-old Dutch cyclist endured a knee injury last year, although he still experienced pain at the beginning of this year. Nevertheless, in top condition, Dumoulin is regarded as one of the most outstanding athletes. He has previously demonstrated his strength and endurance, especially on steep hill ascents.
In addition, there's Tadej Pogačar, a 21-year-old athlete from Team UAE-Emirates. Pogačar clinched triumph at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana this year. Furthermore, he placed third in the 2019 Vuelta, and he bagged three individual stage victories.
Eventually, we have Emanuel Buchmann, who is predicted to participate in the Tour de France despite his crash over the weekend. He accomplished a fourth-place finish in the 2019 Tour and is thus considered fit for potentially reaching the podium in 2020.
Whichever cyclist triumphs in the race, it's worthwhile to analyze both the gambling odds and the particular contributions of the individuals in connection with various stages. You can uncover the most suitable online betting providers for this venture via the link provided. The likelihood of a successful wager improves if you consider each rider's recent accomplishments and the team's current aptitude. Interestingly, mountain and sprinter stages appear as the most enticing offers for bettors.
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