Each of them has already been successful in the Grande Boucle.
Even if the German, almost a second victory on Friday, is only 25 years old, Tony Gallopin already awards him his specialist diploma: "As soon as he is there, he plays for victory."
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Dissection of the course
The beginnings of the Tour de France are not conducive to runs, which generally intervene once the gaps have been created, "with everyone's state of fatigue", explains retired Sylvain Chavanel.
"The profile also counts of course, it is preferable that it be hilly", says the triple stage winner in the Grande Boucle.
"When the stage is flat, it's the lottery", develops Tony Gallopin, victorious in Oyonnax in 2014. "You have to take the right wave and therefore success."
However, we must not be too selective, according to Kämna, caught less than 200 meters from the finish line in the Super Planche des Belles Filles.
"I don't choose a particular stage. It happened to me in the Giro, I absolutely wanted to be in the breakaway because it seemed like the perfect day for me. I missed it because I been too active before the right movement".
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Multiplication of experiences
The right move cannot be predicted, according to Kämna.
"You can't feel it's the moment, it's different every time, the Bora climber. You have to try a lot".
"I also miss a lot of shots that I would like to be in, he says. Except that there is no one to see it."
One of his greatest successes, at Etna in May in the Giro, is the result of chance.
"I hadn't planned to be in the breakaway. It happened like that, the opportunity presented itself".
Even if luck can be provoked, slips Sylvain Chavanel.
"If we guess interested runners and we get on well with them, we discuss: + If you're interested, don't stay too far from me and we try to leave together. + There are small arrangements , codes".
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Collective intelligence
The fate of the fugitives is largely due to the composition of the group.
"Everyone has to be motivated," insists Kämna.
To play for the win, there is no room for publicity breaks or runners present on instructions and to have the peace of their sports director.
Among the companions of choice, he spontaneously cites "Kaspy" Asgreen, "a good guy".
"When I see him in the breakaway, I'm always happy," he says of the Dane who accompanied him during the 7th stage.
"There are always cunning riders, whom we know, and there are others with whom we like to ride, summarizes Gallopin. The main thing is to get along well. Once we arrive in the final and the win is at stake, it's different, it becomes tactical".
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Low target sample
The number of victorious breakaways has swelled in recent years – eight on average during the last three editions – under the effect of a course designer, Thierry Gouvenou assuming “not to put too many sprints”.
However, the window remains narrow, a multitude of parameters having to correspond.
"In 18 Tour de France, I only have three victories, recalls Sylvain Chavanel. The target is very small. When you know that the breakaway is going to the end, you absolutely have to + score +."
Without there being a secret.
"There is pressure but you have to keep your cool", describes + Mimosa +.
Kämna has no more recipe than the retired Chavanel.
"I look at how others seem and I try to find where I can separate myself from them, he explains. But above all, you should never underestimate your opponents. That's my mantra".
© 2022 AFP