The Swiss second division staff Q36.5 are aiming to make their Grand Tour debut through a wildcard slot at May’s Giro d’Italia, staff boss Doug Ryder has mentioned, with the Vuelta a España additionally of their – and Tom Pidcock’s – sights.
The staff is aiming excessive heading into their third yr at ProTeam degree, having introduced multi-discipline star Pidcock aboard after the Brit broke his Ineos Grenadiers contract three seasons early.
While Q36.5 has, over the previous two seasons, taken half in quite a few WorldTour occasions – together with Strade Bianche, Paris-Roubaix, the Critérium du Dauphiné, and the Tour de Suisse – they’ve but to race a Grand Tour.
Ryder, who beforehand oversaw the now-defunct Qhubeka/Dimension Data staff, instructed WielerFlits that they are hoping to race the Giro this yr, with the Vuelta a España additionally of their sights and a Tour de France debut the objective for 2026.
“We have huge ambitions, despite the fact that we’re the one staff within the prime 25 of the UCI Ranking that has not ridden in a Grand Tour within the final two seasons,” Ryder mentioned. “We need a greater rating, to experience extra essential races.
“A wildcard for the Giro d’Italia is essentially the most reasonable now, with our Italian companions. But the Vuelta a España would even be unbelievable. Our huge objective is to be at first of the Tour de France in 2026. Because of the numerous phases we [Qhubeka – Ed.] have received and the yellow jersey, we all know that worth.”
Wildcard spots for the Grand Tours have but to be introduced, although all three races often announce them throughout January and February. The prime two-ranked ProTeams from 2024 – Lotto and Israel-Premier Tech – obtain automated invitations to all WorldTour races this season, although the Belgian squad have already opted out of the Giro, opening a 3rd spot Q36.5 will hope to take.
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Ryder mentioned that his staff hasn’t but acquired invites from the large organisers ASO and RCS Sport, however with Pidcock on board, Q36.5 will seemingly spend loads of time at WorldTour races in 2025.
“Commitments for main races are missing for now. Besides, Tom can not begin in every single place; we respect his selections,” Ryder mentioned. “The huge distinction now could be that individuals name me, as a substitute of me calling to ask for a wildcard.
“The most essential races merely need one of the best riders, for one of the best present. With Tom on board, we get the possibility to find our potential for the following WorldTour cycle of 2026-2028.
“In any case, I will likely be at RCS Sport for the Giro on Monday and I hope to know extra then. And not too long ago Tom himself was on the presentation of the Vuelta route.”
Ryder, Pidcock, and the staff have lofty ambitions, however the supervisor acknowledged that this season may also be one in all transition. He admitted that the staff seemingly will not make the WorldTour in 2026 as Lotto and Israel paved the way within the rankings. For now, making their mark on the Classics and one, or each, of these Grand Tours is the objective.
“But 2025 is especially an enormous transition yr. We are primarily Arkéa-B&B Hotels and XDS-Astana, however we additionally know that we are going to not be a WorldTour staff subsequent yr due to our deficit to Lotto and Israel-Premier Tech,” Ryder mentioned.
“We do know what we would like and can deal with that. Our program runs till March. Tom desires to make his mark within the classifications. He desires to be within the prime 5 on the planet. After Opening Weekend, we are going to work with him in direction of the Ardennes Classics.
“We will attempt to win phases on the Giro. At the Vuelta, we’ll go for the classification with Tom. That is our ambition and Tom desires that too. We imagine in that potential.”