Geraint Thomas is chasing history as he looks to become the oldest ever Tour de France Champion

The Tour de France begins in Copenhagen in the present day with 176 riders battling it out over 2,068 miles earlier than reaching the end line in Paris on July 24.

With Geraint Thomas chasing history, and Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar trying to make it three wins in a row – it guarantees to be an thrilling few weeks. 

Here, Sportsmail looks at the key speaking factors forward of biking’s most prestigious race.

Geraint Thomas is trying to become the oldest Tour de France winner since 1922

WILL TADEJ POGACAR MAKE IT A HAT-TRICK?

No biking fan will ever overlook the Slovenian’s gorgeous victory in 2020, when he overhauled a 57-second deficit to Primoz Roglic in the ultimate time trial to steal the yellow jersey. Pogacar then received final yr’s race to become, at 22, the youngest two-time champion. The UAE Team Emirates rider is favorite once more however will likely be challenged by countryman Roglic, who received this yr’s Criterium du Dauphine and Paris-Nice.

Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar is trying to win the Tour de France for the third time in a row

WHO ARE THE BRITS TO WATCH?

‘Dismiss Geraint Thomas at your peril’ is the message from Sir Bradley Wiggins about the 2018 champion, picked as one in every of three leaders for Ineos Grenadiers. 

At 36, Thomas can be the oldest Tour winner since Firmin Lambot in 1922 however the Welshman’s superb victory at the Tour de Suisse earlier this month confirmed he is nonetheless a darkish horse. ‘I’ve been feeling good,’ he mentioned. ‘I want to be there in the mix but I’m chilled. I’ve received the race earlier than, I simply need to take pleasure in it.’

Adam Yates is additionally a co-leader in his first season with Ineos and it is going to be intriguing to see how his team-mate Tom Pidcock, the Olympic mountain bike champion, fares on his Tour debut. Four-time winner Chris Froome, now of Israel-Premier Tech, is participating in his tenth race at the age of 37.

British rider Adam Yates (pictured) is a co-leader in his first season with Ineos

WHERE IS CAVENDISH?

Mark Cavendish has been denied the likelihood to go away from Eddy Merckx’s report of 34 stage victories after Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl controversially chosen Dutchman Fabio Jakobsen as an alternative.

IS COVID STILL A CONCERN?

Cycling’s world governing physique have been pressured to replace their Covid protocols this week, ramping up the testing of riders and employees. It follows the chaos of the Tour de Suisse, the place Ineos stars Yates and Pidcock each examined optimistic and have been amongst 29 riders who had to withdraw from the race. With circumstances rising throughout the continent once more, groups worry that issues lie forward for the Tour.