No Irish involvement as Tour de France set for heavyweight battle

While defending champion Jonas Vingegaard and twice winner Tadej Pogacar look set to battle it out for this year's Tour de France, riders' safety will be under the microscope after the death of Gino Mader.

There will however be no Irish interest when the race begins in Bilbao on Saturday.

Bora-Hansgrohe have opted to bring young Belgian sprinter Jordi Meeus instead of the 2020 green jersey winner Sam Bennett, with teammate Ryan Mullen also missing out.

Corkman Eddie Dunbar sits out the iconic race after his stunning seventh-place finish for Team Jayco-Alula at the recent Giro d’Italia, while Ben Healy, who was victorious at the National Road Championships at the weekend, is also rested after a storming display in Italy including a stage win.

All eyes will focus on the two big hitters, though there are question marks regarding Pogacar’s form.

The Slovenian was enjoying a sterling season, winning Paris-Nice and the Tour of Flanders, before breaking his wrist two months ago, leaving the 2020 and 2021 Tour winner fighting to make a full recovery before the Grand Depart in Bilbao on Saturday.

Pogacar's UAE Emirates team has been reinforced with the recruitment of Britain's Adam Yates and Felix Grossschartner, two major additions for the mountain stages.

If the 24-year-old is back to his best then the stage is set for a potentially vintage battle with Vingegaard.

The Danish rider, who will again be able to rely on the formidable Jumbo Visma team, won the Criterium du Dauphine and will start as the big favourite.

He and his team made Pogacar crack last year in the 'stage of the century' a year after Vingegaard took second place behind the Slovenian.

Pogacar, however, has earned the nickname 'Baby Cannibal' in reference to Belgian great