Nicola Sturgeon (Scottish National Party)
Nicola Sturgeon (Scottish National Party)
Whoosh! For many, Nicola Sturgeon came out of nowhere at this election – rocketing to prominence with an assured display in the televised debates and setting herself up, if not as a genuine election contender, then a worthy adversary (or vital ally) in the contest.
Her tenacity has won her many admirers in a short space of time, but her party is still unlikely to form a government – she’s much more likely to lend her support to another party as part of a potential coalition.
Like Sturgeon late charge, Ilnur Zakarin, this year’s Tour de Romandie winner, was not on many people’s radars prior to the Swiss stage race, but nevertheless, the Katusha rider managed to defy the odds to place third overall on the final stage and secure the overall win for his team, Katusha. Time will tell whether he is given licence as an out-and-out contender at a Grand Tour this season, or if he is pressed into the service of a team-mate, like the dominant Alexander Kristoff.