Green machine
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Peter Sagan has made the green jersey his own at the Tour de France, and bids for a fourth straight win this year (pic: Sirotti)
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Peter Sagan claimed victory on stage three of the Vuelta a Espana - his first Grand Tour stage win since 2013 (pic: Sirotti)
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Mark Cavendish is in top form (pic: Tim de Waele/EQS)
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Alexander Kristoff has won more times than anybody else this year (pic: Sirotti)
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John Degenkolb enjoyed a sublime spring and now has the chance to prove his worth at the Tour (pic: Sirotti)
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Andre Greipel knows what it takes to win stages, but lacks consistency (pic: Sirotti)
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Edvald Boasson Hagen has had the chance to re-ignite his career at MTN-Qhubeka (Pic: Bruno Bade/ASO)
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Nacer Bouhanni won the green jersey and two stages at the Dauphine, but suffered an injury at the French nationals (pic: Sirotti)
Green machine
The battle for the yellow jersey is not the only intriguing battle set to play out at the Tour de France, with the fast men all bidding for the green jersey.
Peter Sagan has won the maillot vert in each of the last three editions, but with Tinkoff-Saxo built around Alberto Contador’s overall bid he could find support limited.
And with the rules revamped this year too, to reward the stage winners more, he could find the going tough despite having come into form of late.
If Sagan misses out, 2011 winner Mark Cavendish will be hammering at the door, as will in-form Alexander Kristoff.
So what can we expect from the sprinters at this year’s race? Read on for our in-depth preview of the green jersey hopefuls.