As the Tour de France approaches, Twitter users will be carefully curating their feeds to be sure they are following all the right riders, teams, and analysts. As with so many things, events unfold in real time on Twitter, with unprecedented speed and access. For some, following along on Twitter as the race unfolds has become almost as commonplace as watching live TV footage. And while the official account for Le Tour focuses on live race updates, with accurate information in both French and English, it’s those from inside the caravan that are most interesting. Here are 10 you should be following, if you’re not already.
The GC contenders
Chris Froome (Sky)
431,000 followers
Of the four major GC favorites, Sky’s Chris Froome is the most active on Twitter. He’s the most open as well, sharing opinions, personal photos, and above all — as shown here in a reply to Peter Sagan — that he has a sense of humor. When he’s not staring at his stem on the bike, Froome is often staring at his Twitter feed off the bike.
@petosagan wow nice stem!
— Chris Froome (@chrisfroome) June 25, 2015
Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo)
941,000 followers
Though his tweets don’t often disclose a whole lot — Contador remains as diplomatic on Twitter as he is in post-race interviews — he is a frequent tweeter in Spanish and English, and will be the most-watched rider in July as he attempts a historic Giro-Tour double.
Descanso-Tension-Presion-Motivacion-Concentracion! Rest-Tension-Pressure-Motivation- Concentration! #TDF2015 #-7days pic.twitter.com/HrBLBQ9mvO — Alberto Contador (@albertocontador) June 27, 2015
The animators
Fabian Cancellara (Trek Factory Racing)
400,000 followers
The rider known as “Spartacus” has also spawned a German-Swiss-English dialect endearingly referred to as “Fabianese.” The former world time-trial champion and leader of Trek Factory Racing, Cancellara’s blend of experience and authority has made him, at times, a de facto spokesman for the pro peloton, particularly when it comes to issues such as weather protocol and rider safety.
Today its gona be long long long day on the bike.4km neutral, 237km race,15km downhill finish-hotel, and to the end walking into my room — Fabian cancellara (@f_cancellara) June 17, 2015
Rohan Dennis (BMC Racing)
14,000 followers
The young Australian and former Hour Record holder will be riding in support of American Tejay van Garderen at BMC Racing. And while van Garderen doesn’t update his Twitter feed often, Dennis is fairly regular with his, providing a glimpse inside the pro peloton.
Nothing better than squashing a mosquito after it has been biting you all night. Even if it was on my face #canfinallysleep — Rohan Dennis (@RohanDennis) June 29, 2015
Peter Sagan (Tinkoff-Saxo)
249,000 followers
One of the biggest characters in pro cycling, Sagan’s Twitter account is a mix of sponsor-correct posts and (mostly successful) attempts at humor in a second language. When he’s winning races, Sagan’s account serves as a window into the world of the three-time green jersey winner; when he’s not, it tends to go quiet. (A parody account, Tweeter Sagan, has its moments of comedic gold.)
Be my fan and win a trip to Tour de France. What do you do to be in my fanbus? http://t.co/2IDGaWKVKn pic.twitter.com/ObKQqV801a — Peter Sagan (@petosagan) June 27, 2015
Adam Hansen (Lotto-Soudal)
59,000 followers
The Australian workhorse has one of the most amusing Twitter accounts in pro cycling, keeping it light and entertaining as he pokes fun at the absurdities involved in the life of a pro cyclist. In May, he finished the Giro d’Italia, his 11th consecutive grand tour; follow along as this fan favorite makes his way through an attempt at a 12th.
I just pictured a scene in the movie “Castaway” where Tom Hanks sees a @Lotto_Soudal @tacx bottle floating past…. https://t.co/PWjmGzjvtr — Adam Hansen (@HansenAdam) June 27, 2015
Alex Dowsett (Movistar)
56,000 followers
The British national TT champion and former Hour Record holder will be starting his first Tour on July 4. He’s a regular Twitter presence, frequently joking about the inner workings of pro cycling. He’s also one of the few English speakers from the Movistar squad, offering insight into the team of GC contender Nairo Quintana.
Thanks for all the messages, an unreal season so far! Excited and nervous about my first @letour, can’t quite decide which takes precedent. — Alex Dowsett (@alexdowsett) June 29, 2015
The teams
Oleg Tinkov (Tinkoff-Saxo owner and manager)
193,000 followers
There’s perhaps no Twitter account in pro cycling watched more closely than that of Tinkoff team owner and manager Oleg Tinkov. The wealthy Russian businessman not only runs one of the most powerful teams in the sport, but he’s also the most outrageous and outspoken personality in the sport. Whether it’s boasting about his team or personal accomplishments or taking a swipe at other riders and teams — or his own riders — Tinkov’s account is so unpredictable and unfiltered that, when he first joined Twitter, many suspected it was a parody account. Rest assured, it’s not.
Exactly! The internet is for **** and Twitter is for fun https://t.co/aiHkvD59Ya
— Oleg Tinkov (@olegtinkov) June 24, 2015
Jonathan Vaughters (Cannondale-Garmin founder and manager)
92,000 followers
A frequent Twitter user since its inception, Vaughters has been known to go off-script on social media from time to time, using the platform to criticize major power players in the sport such as Tour owners ASO and UCI management. He provides a singular insight into the Cannondale team, and also regularly engages with fans and journalists alike.
@Olegtinkov what’re you doing riding a TT bike in the west end? Not very hipster of you. pic.twitter.com/aDDemu2Wql — Jonathan Vaughters (@Vaughters) June 29, 2015
Etixx-Quick-Step
139,000 followers
Every team in the Tour has a Twitter account, but the Belgian Etixx-Quick-Step squad of Mark Cavendish, Michal Kwiatkowski, Tony Martin, and Zdenek Stybar has, perhaps, the most thorough, and accurate, in terms of live race updates. And while no team account is perfectly objective, the Etixx account does the best job of providing impartial race information.
National Championships REPORT: Two Champions & Two Medals for @Etixx_QuickStep! http://t.co/eAxcjqGwMH Photo ©Cor Vos pic.twitter.com/0P3xnSCF1C — Etixx – Quick-Step (@Etixx_QuickStep) June 28, 2015
The post Top 10 Twitter accounts to follow during the 2015 Tour de France appeared first on VeloNews.com.
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