Cycling-Penpix of selected Tour de France contenders

Reuters

PARIS, July 2 (Reuters) - Brief penpix of selected Tour de France contenders: * Chris Froome (Britain, Team Sky, age 29) - also known as Froomey * Best Tour performance: 1st (2013) * Best other Grand Tour performances: 2nd (Vuelta 2011, Tour de France 2012) * Top performances in 2014: 1st (Tour of Oman, Tour de Romandie) Strengths: One of the best time trialists, possibly the best climber. Backed by a strong team, his speedy accelerations often leave his rivals trailing in his wake. Weaknesses: Perhaps his confidence has suffered from his recent under-par performances. - - * Alberto Contador (Spain, Saxo Tinkoff, 31) - aka: El Pistolero * Best Tour performance: 1st (2007, 2009) * Best other Grand Tour performances: 1st (Vuelta 2008, 2012; Giro 2008) * Top performances in 2014: 1st (Tirreno Adriatico, Tour of the Basque Country), 2nd (Criterium du Dauphine) Strengths: A formidable attacker, always on the offensive, a big plus in a very mountainous race. The only active rider with titles in all three grand tours. Solid team behind him. Confidence high after great season. Weaknesses: Must do without key team mate Roman Kreuziger. - - * Vincenzo Nibali (Italy, Astana, 29) aka: The Shark * Best Tour performance: 3rd (2012) * Best other Grand Tour performances: 1st (Vuelta 2010, Giro 2013) * Top performances in 2014: 5th (Tour de Romandie) * Strengths: A very offensive rider, very good climber with great grand tour experience. Weaknesses: Has a tendency to attack when he should not. - - * Tejay van Garderen (United States, BMC, 25) aka: none * Best Tour performance: 5th (2012) * Best other Grand Tour performance: 35th (Vuelta 2010) * Top performances in 2014: 2nd (Tour of Oman), 3rd (Tour of the Basque Country) Strengths: Versatility. A decent time trialist and good climber. Has had good results this season after suffering on the Tour last year. Weaknesses: Has never led a team on the Tour de France. Prone to occasional off-days. - - * Andrew Talansky (United States, Garmin-Sharp, 25) aka: Pit Bull * Best Tour performance: 10th (2013) * Best other Grand Tour performance: 7th (Vuelta 2012) * Top performance in 2014: 1st (Criterium du Dauphine) Strengths: Consistency. Managed a top-10 finish last year and seemed to get better by the day. Weaknesses: Lack of experience leading a Grand Tour team. - - * Thibaut Pinot (France, FDJ.fr, 24) aka: none * Best Tour performance: 10th (2012) * Best other Grand Tour performance: 7th (Vuelta 2013) * Top performance in 2014: 9th (Tour of Basque Country) Strengths: Excellent climber. Took a stage on his Tour debut two years ago. Weaknesses: Not a good time trialist although he has improved. Has yet to show he can handle the pressure of a big race. (Reporting by Julien Pretot, editing by Tony Jimenez)