The first mountain stage in the Tour de France is scheduled for tomorrow. Non-climbers then often form a so-called grupetto. That is a group of riders who are at the back of the race and together try to get within the time limit. Rider Ramon Sinkeldam from Assendelft is often in such a grupetto, but sees this Tour as a problem.
“Cycling has changed. The riders with whom I have ridden in the grupetto for years have now stopped. I assume that there are still some riders who want to ride at my pace,” says Sinkeldam.
The traditional grupetto is therefore getting smaller and the composition of the teams has also changed. For example, Sinkeldam drives for the Belgian Alpecin-Deceuninck. This Tour he must ensure that sprinter Jasper Philipsen is well positioned in the sprint stages.
“The sprinters can climb very well these days. Jasper, for example, does not ride in the grupetto, because he rides way too well for it uphill. Boys who are now turning pro are also younger and more talented. Teams are taking more and more climbers with them and then the grupetto becomes getting smaller. I invite everyone to form a grupetto with me,” concludes Sinkeldam.