Groenewegen analyzes "sprint before the sprint" with the world's best lead-outs: "The finales are going to be crazy"

While the pressure was already high from the start in previous years, it's different for Groenewegen this year with the two more hilly stages. "It's a different start than we're used to in the Tour, but I actually like it. That way, there might be a little less chaos in the sprints. In stage three, we have an opportunity we want to go for, but normally stage four is the first real sprint stage."

It's possible that Groenewegen may already be well behind other riders in the battle for the green jersey by then. Therefore, the points classification is not a goal for the Dutchman. "Wout van Aert says he's not going for green, but along with Jasper Philipsen and Biniam Girmay, I see him as the favorites for green. For a spure sprinter it's difficult, in my opinion."

No, Groenewegen's focus is mainly on stage wins. "Myself, Philipsen and Fabio Jakobsen are perhaps the fastest guys, but there are also guys like Mark Cavendish and Caleb Ewan. The finales are going to be crazy, but I'm hoping to beat them," states the powerhouse of the Australian/Saudi Arabian team.

And then there's also the battle between the sprint lead-out riders, including Danny van Poppel, Michael Mørkøv and maybe even Mathieu van der Poel in that category... 'It's a sprint before the sprint. The lead-outs are, therefore, very important. Nowadays, you don't need to have a whole sprint train, but by having three or four guys in front of you, you can save some energy," analyzes Groenewegen.

The Dutch rider already has full confidence in his Slovenian lead-out man, Luka Mezgec. "With Luka, we have had a good preparation, and he is in very good form. In Slovenia, we saw that he is one of the best lead-outs in the world, so we want to show that in the Tour as well."

The position in front of Mezgec in the train is assigned to Elmar Reinders, the oldest debutant in this Tour. "Last year, I asked if Elmar could get a chance in the team, and he seized that opportunity with both hands. He has been doing very well all year, both in the classics and in the sprint train, where he has taken over the role of Amund," Groenewegen refers to his confidant Amund Grøndahl Jansen, who has been sidelined for almost a year with a femoral artery problem. "This will be Elmar's first Tour de France, but he is a loyal guy who will certainly fulfill his duties."