The battle for 2025 Grand Tour wildcard invites could possibly be resolved by including an additional twenty third group to the beginning lists and rising the scale of the peloton to 184 riders.
Tudor Pro Cycling and Uno-X Mobility are each hoping to safe the twenty second Tour de France place, whereas Tudor Pro Cycling and Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team are vying for the twenty second spot on the Giro d’Italia. An additional twenty third place would assist the groups, however create some security and logistical points.
Cyclingnews understands that RCS Sport have requested the UCI for an additional wildcard for the Giro d’Italia and one trusted supply instructed Cyclingnews that ASO have additionally requested the UCI for an additional wildcard for the Vuelta a España.
The UCI have allowed an additional group up to now however want to not make exemptions to their very own guidelines and undermine the present choice course of. Safety can also be a difficulty, with extra riders within the Grand Tour pelotons rising the danger of crashes. If a twenty third group is invited, they might should comply with in some way cowl the prices of their accommodations and race prices. Any resolution must be made by the UCI’s Professional Cycling Council.
RCS Sport introduced the wildcard invites for Strade Bianche, Tirreno-Adriatico and Milan-San Remo on Thursday, inviting each Tudor and Q36.5, however stated that the Giro d’Italia wildcards can be introduced “at a later date”.
The 2024 Tour de France wildcards have been introduced on January 18 final yr however ASO have nonetheless to make any announcement for the 2025 wildcards. They refused to remark about including a twenty third group when contacted by Cyclingnews.
Tom Pidock and his new Q36.5 group have admitted they won’t journey the Tour this yr and in order that leaves Tudor Pro Cycling and Uno-X Mobility in a battle for the ultimate wildcard place.
Under the present UCI guidelines, the 18 WorldTour groups are mechanically invited to the three Grand Tours, with the 2 best-ranked ProTeams in 2024 additionally invited however in a position to choose out. Lotto and Israel-Premier Tech will be a part of the 18 WorldTour group on the Tour de France begin checklist, with French ProTeam TotalEnergies additionally anticipated to line up in Lille on July 5.
Uno-X Mobility have ridden the Tour de France due to a wildcard invitation for the final two years. However, Tudor appear assured of beginning the Tour for the primary time after signing Julian Alaphilippe.
The 18 WorldTour groups plus Lotto and Israel-Premier Tech have computerized invites to the Spanish Grand Tour, with race organisers Unipublic rotating the Spanish wildcard invites between Kern Pharma, Euskaltel, Burgos-BH and Caja Rural. A twenty third place would permit Unipublic to ask all three Spanish groups or maybe Q36.5.
Italian ProTeams Polti VisitMalta and VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè appear assured wildcard locations on the Giro d’Italia and Israel-Premier Tech will take up their invitation.
That leaves Q36.5 and Tudor locked in a battle for the twenty second spot. Cyclingnews was instructed by a trusted supply on the Giro route presentation in Rome that RCS Sport are demanding that Tudor embrace Alaphilippe or Marc Hirschi of their Giro roster to safe a 2025 wildcard. Otherwise, their place will go to Q36.5 and Pidcock.
Permission from the UCI to ask a twenty third group would resolve the battle for the ultimate place.
