And now we come to the newest team to the World Tour. Now, I know I must know some of the names on this team…and yet, off the top of my head I cannot name one. But now I look over the list and I see some particular names I do indeed know. And yet I say from the outset: this shall be one of the shorter previews. Intermarche team, do not be mad at me for saying such things, make me rue the day I accidently slighted your team. Your jersey is loud and colorful and unusual, surely when your riders do well in the future it shall not happen under my nose.
The top man of the team in my eyes must be Louis Meintjes, the South African, twice 8th at the Tour and another top ten at the Vuelta as well. At 28, he is in his peak years. Intermarche, let us see what you can get out of him. Too often, too often he has flow under the radar: putting in many quality efforts at the Grand Tours and in stage races, but never seeming to ever throw up his arms in victory. Like Socrates Martin at Cofidis, surely victory on a big stage should be Meintjes’ goal.
Then let us see, surely I recognize the Van Poppel brothers, may each rack up a handful of sprint victories this season. Rein Taaramae and Maurits Lammertink are familiar names. Jan Bakelants is the one that took that Corsica stage at the 2013 Tour and moved into the maillot jaune. Jan Hirt I remember from some devastatingly good days in the mountains at the Giro from a few years back. Pasqualon, Vliegen, Eiking, and Minali are all names I definitely have heard in the mix, but truly can say nothing past that. And finally there are the two funny delightful surprises on this list: Quinten Hermans and Corne Van Kessel. Yes, yes, the two cyclocrossers we see lining up on the front row every winter weekend in the Belgian races. Surely, surely, cyclocross magic is in the air, surely all teams should get themselves a top cyclocrosser for their Classics squads. May they do well at the Classics, perhaps even take some stages or ride a Grand Tour!
Well, as I said, this would be a short preview. I know not much about this team, thus let them surprise me. Should all things be equal, I shall root for this team over others just to see the underdog succeed. Yes, I have no idea what they shall do, I have no idea how to even end this preview. Thus once more: Put a chip on your shoulders, boys. Prove me wrong for dismissing you.
Cycling Odysseys 