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Turin (AP) - Emanuel Buchmann wants to be the first German professional cyclist to reach the podium at the Giro d'Italia.

“I'm ready,” says the 28-year-old climbing specialist before the start in Turin on Saturday.

However, the fourth in the Tour de France faces strong competition.

The favorites for the overall victory at a glance:

BERNAL, EGAN: After his triumph at the Tour de France 2019, many more victories were predicted for the Colombian.

But last year the 24-year-old suffered a major setback.

Bernal complained of back problems and had no chance against the outstanding Slovenes Tadej Pogacar and Primoz Roglic.

“It all depends on how the back reacts.

If everything goes well, I'll tackle the overall standings and the pink jersey, ”said Bernal.

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BUCHMANN, EMANUEL: After finishing fourth in the 2019 Tour, the Ravensburger wanted to be on the podium in Paris last year. But a fall at the Criterium du Dauphiné shortly before the start of the tour prevented the undertaking, and in the end Buchmann couldn't get past 38th place. Since the Tour of France this year is less demanding in terms of the route, the climbing specialist at the Giro wants to know. “The goal is the podium,” says Buchmann, who has just extended his contract with the Bora-hansgrohe team until 2024.

EVENEPOEL, REMCO: The Belgian is a huge talent in cycling. In his home country he is already known as the new Eddy Merckx. At the age of 19 Evenepoel won the difficult World Tour race in San Sebastian and was second in the time trial world championship. Last year he started four tours and was always the winner on the podium before a bad fall on the Lombardy tour stopped him. Evenepoel fell down the slope from a bridge and broke his pelvis. After a break of almost nine months, he is now starting his comeback. “You can't be 100 percent without having driven a race,” says the youngster.

HINDLEY, JAI: The Australian was one of the big surprises at the Giro 2020. On the penultimate day, the 25-year-old was still leading the overall standings, then had to give the British Tao Geoghegan Hart the overall victory in the final individual time trial.

Hart isn't there this year, but Hindley doesn't seem to be in the form from last year either.

The results were modest and he did not finish the last two tours.

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YATES, SIMON: Last year, a positive corona test at the end of the first week ended his Giro mission after he came as a favorite.

Also this year he is one of the candidates for the overall victory.

The Briton just won the Tour of the Alps.

He also has the necessary experience for long tours.

In 2018 he won the Vuelta after having ridden in the pink jersey for 13 days at the Giro.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210507-99-511750 / 2

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