ROBBIE MCEWEN PREVIEWS THE 2022 TOUR DE FRANCE

Who are your favourites for the podium?

"My podium predictions, top of the podium, Tadej Pogacar which is not going out on a limb. It's not taking a chance. He's just so consistent. He's so good at everything. And I think you'll win it for the third time in a row.

If [Primoz] Roglic can stay on his bike, he can finish on the podium. If not and he drops away, I think we could see a similar podium like last year with Vingegaard also on the podium.  And I'm tipping Ben O'Connor to get on there as well."

Can INEOS challenge Jumbo-Visma and UAE Emirates?

"I think INEOS can challenge, not directly in the high mountains just going toe to toe, but they can challenge if they can stick to their promise of racing differently. What Steve Cummings, their team directors talked about, by not riding an INEOS style of race, what we've seen in years gone by, when they knew they just had the strongest rider. I think they need to try and create surprises, they need to try and create chaos. They say they're going to so if they can actually do it, then they are in with a chance."

What can anyone do to beat Tadej Pogacar?

"They need to get someone to push him off! Even if, even if they isolate him. He just defends himself so well. He's a real racer. He looks happy to defend himself by attacking. Barring an incident or an accident, I don't see a way they can beat him."

Who is a dark horse or has an outside chance of getting on the podium?

"I guess because Geraint Thomas has won the Tour before it makes him less of a dark horse, but I think G can finish in the top five based on his ride in the Tour de Suisse. But a dark horse, maybe actually, Dani Martinez, he’s good for an outside chance."

The impact of the first 3 stages in Denmark on the GC battle

"I don't think the time trial will have a really big impact. I think the gaps will be insignificant. In the TT, I mean, there's always someone who stands out and someone who has a shocker. But overall, I don't think the time trial is going to be the big one. 

"The rest depends a little bit more on luck than physical condition. I think the roads in Denmark can be a little bit tricky. And it depends on how the wind blows. There's a lot of talk about the bridge towards the final part of stage two.

"If it's a headwind or even just a slight head cross, it shouldn't have too much of an impact on the race. I'd actually like it if things were really close still, after coming out of Denmark that everybody is intact. Normally, I think it's only going to be bad luck that sort of ruins anyone's chances. Rather than that the racing is going to be too hard for anyone."

On the strength of Australian cycling currently

"We've got really good depth. Obviously, we've got Caleb Ewan who is a multiple stage winner at the Tour de France. But we've got a lot of good young climbers and GC riders. In fact, you know who my real dark horse is for a top five? Is Jack Haig. I don't want to be overly Aussie but if he is Australian, or he was from Iceland, it doesn't matter. 

"I think he's got a good chance. He was in such good form last year, he crashed out and broke his collarbone. So, he's got a point to prove at the Tour and he's a good dark horse. 

"But even some of our young kids, for FDJ Michael Storer already won a couple of stages in the Vuelta last year, he could be a real surprise packet in the Tour."

On the importance of the Tour de France Femmes

"It's really important and amazing it’s taken this long. I mean, there used to be a Tour de Feminin years ago and disappeared from the calendar and it's about time that it's back on. So it's good to see that now. Finally, we have that women's version. They have the Tour de Femmes. 

"I mean everybody's looking forward to seeing how that's gonna go, the women also getting to race on the biggest stage. You know, we've seen in so many other sports, Wimbledon is also one of the moment - can you imagine that didn't have a women's draw for so long? It seems insane that it hasn't always been this way but you know, it's taken a long time. But you know, I think it's going to be worth the weight when we see them racing."