"In a way, I might have some X-factor" - Magnus Cort about the secret behind his breakaway magic

Magnus Cort Nielsen is definitely going to be one of the leading men of Uno-X Mobility in their third consecutive Tour de France participation. The experienced Dane was at the recent Criterium du Dauphiné to fine-tune his shape with view of the Grande Boucle.

However the preparation race didn't seem to take of well as Cort strolled around in the gruppetto. Yet he counters that it wasn't due to bad legs at all: "It's always more fun to be riding well at the end than the other way around. But there's also a bit to work on. I need a bit of punch on the hills. But then I know what I have to do for the next 14 days," Cort tells Feltet.dk.

Final touches then for Cort in the two weeks left until Grande Départ. Is that enough time to be in best shape? "Yes, you can definitely do that. It's not like the form is gone. You see that especially on the last stage, where I'm allowed to lead what I can. There's a lot of form, so it's more adjustments."

Cort has already won nine Grand Tour stages in his career - mostly through successful breakaways. While he had the most success at Vuelta a Espana (6x) where he triumphed three times in one edition (2021), Cort already knows what it feels like to win at each three-week stage race. Will he be able to add a number 10 to his collection this year?

"I believe in that. If I can hit a breakaway, then I believe I can have a good chance," says the Dane. His team boss Thor Hushovd suggests that Cort has some sort of X-factor when it comes to breakaways. "If I don't compare myself to (Alexander) Kristoff, then I have quite a few victories compared to most people. Especially on the Grand Tour list, I'm high, so in that way I have some X-factor," admits Cort.

Kristoff's last season will be without Tour de France as the Norwegian veteran was not selected. In addition, Cort's compatriot Andreas Kron had to step out with back pain. "It's a shame. There probably wasn't much to worry about at the end of the Dauphiné. He was otherwise doing well in training, but of course it's a different story to race a bike. If your body suddenly doesn't work, that's how it is. You can't really change that."