Tour de France 2015 Favourites stage 1 – Tony Martin versus Tom Dumoulin

The 2015 Tour de France starts with a 13.7 kilometres ITT in Utrecht, the Netherlands. In recent years Tony Martin was the master of the discipline, but young Dutchman Tom Dumoulin is getting stronger every year. Who is going to take the first yellow jersey? (Slideshow route/profile)

Without any doubt Tony Martin has been the best time trialist in recent years, but just as he took Cancellara’s crown a few years back a young ambitious rider is desperate to take his crown. To do just that in Utrecht would set his country-men on fire. Recently 24 year old Dumoulin bested Martin in a hilly time trial in the Tour of the Basque Country, yet the Utrecht-track is another story since it is as flat as can be and therefore Martin-territory.

Other riders to watch are Adriano Malori, Rohan Dennis and the overall contenders Chris Froome, Rigoberto Uran, Vincenzo Nibali and Alberto Contador. And what about the original owner of the crown we were talking about earlier. Is Fabian Cancellara able to shine once more in La Grande Boucle?

*** Tony Martin, Tom Dumoulin
** Adriano Malori, Rohan Dennis, Chris Froome, Rigoberto Uran
* Vincenzo Nibali, Alberto Contador, Fabian Cancellara