Thanks for the ping Bay - looks like this is his first tour. What’s your over/under on stage wins for the young Slovak?
There are 9 stages that are sprinter set ups. Five are in the first week with a day of moderate hills in the mix. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him win four of those six, maybe more. I also think he's a good bet to take the final stage in Paris if he hasn't abandoned for physical reasons.
In the Tour of California he flatted about four miles from the finish one day, changed a wheel, caught and worked his way through the peloton and won the stage. He won the first four stages in a row, one in which his lead out train got blocked in and he moved through the pack to get on the wheel of Tom Boonen who he edged out in the last 75 meters.
He also proved to be a capable climber. He won't win mountain stages, but his ability to handle hills could give him an edge on the two flat stages that follow mountain days.
I pick him for at least five stage wins.