Racing

Tour of Beijing 2014: preview

WorldTour season draws to a close with fourth and final edition of Chinese race

A leading domestique, David Lopez does not get many opportunities to star in his own right but has already impressed on those few occasions he has.

Last year’s Tour of Beijing was one example, where Lopez finished third overall thanks to a stunning ride on Miaofeng Mountain after team leader Richie Porte was dropped.

Out of the shadows? When given the chance to impress in his own right, David Lopez has seized those opportunities. Beijing could offer another (pic: Sirotti)

Lopez’s ride was just not enough to hold first place overall for Team Sky but it was a reminder of the Spaniard’s so often under-rated ability.

And with Sky keen to end a disappointing season on a high note, he is likely to feature heavily again this year.

Ben Swift and the departing Edvald Boasson Hagen are in the hunt for stage wins, while Lopez, Bernie Eisel, Dario Cataldo and Philip Deignan make for a fiercely strong climbing unit.

Lopez showed what he can do last time out, and if Sky commit fully to the Spaniard then he is certainly a contender for at least a podium spot again this year.