Tejay van Garderen (BMC Racing)
Tejay van Garderen (BMC Racing)
Tejay van Garderen has been here before, starting Paris-Nice among the favourites after a strong ride at the Tour of Oman, where he placed second overall.
In fact, it was this exact situation which the 26-year-old found himself in last year only for illness to curtail his Paris-Nice on the first day.
Looking to step up to fill the void left by Cadel Evans’ retirement, this is a big opportunity for van Garderen to start bringing in regular results to match his undoubted talent.
Fifth at the Tour de France last year, van Garderen will start July’s race looking to break the stranglehold of Messrs. Froome, Contador, Quintana and Nibali.
Van Garderen is among the best in the mountains and an excellent rider against the clock, too, and victory at Paris-Nice, supported by a team which includes Tour Down Under champion and hour record holder Rohan Dennis, would continue his strong start to the year ahead of a big summer for the American.