The contenders – Domenico Pozzovivo (Ag2r-La Mondiale)
The contenders – Domenico Pozzovivo (Ag2r-La Mondiale)
Diminutive climbing ace Domenico Pozzovivo missed a large chunk of last season through an injury sustained in a bad training crash on the Stelvio. The Italian starts the new campaign keen to kick off his Giro d’Italia preparation in style as part of a strong Ag2r-La Mondiale team. Christophe Riblon and Blel Kadri will join the Italian 32-year-old Down Under and while there is a lack of fierce climbs, all three can make a difference on the ascents which are included. Pozzovivo will, should he arrive in good form, be in the front group on Willunga Hill and is more than capable of putting time into his rivals there. And with a strong supporting cast, the Italian could seal what, surprisingly, would he be his first ever overall win on the WorldTour and first of any kind since he won the Giro del Trentino in 2012.