Very interesting to follow the next months. Will teams adjust their program and of their riders? Who's get injured and some hot racing coming up in October in Asia?so, the gaps are still closing.
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COFIDIS are now on the hot seat (the 5th team to ocupy the 19th place this year) UNO-X and ARKEA are going downhill. IPT went uphill thanks to Gee, but overall the gaps are still closing.
after the TDF, some teams destiny will be more clear, if it is for promotion or relegation.
i think it's now more depend on the wildcard and invites the team can achieve.it's June 3rd and no news about Arkea's future?
i think it's now more depend on the wildcard and invites the team can achieve.
in any case they can still manage to get the TDF invite, being a French team. that's serves as a kind of insurance policy to all the French teams of course.
I feel its more about them potentially not existing next year to worry about wildcards. They need to perform now if they are to attract a new sponsor.i think it's now more depend on the wildcard and invites the team can achieve.
in any case they can still manage to get the TDF invite, being a French team. that's serves as a kind of insurance policy to all the French teams of course.
To be honest a lot of riders are not pro-worthy. They stacked the team low budget with riders from their development squad. Though for the Tour they can field a really nice team with Vauquelin, Gesbert, Demare, Garcia Pierna, C-Rod2, Costiou, Guarnalec and Gugliemi but they haven't got a B-squad. Mozzato and Svestad will find their place next year.I feel its more about them potentially not existing next year to worry about wildcards. They need to perform now if they are to attract a new sponsor.
but why should they really care about other races at all? if you are a decent French team (at least placed 30) you can participate in this race (specially now when they allowed 23 teams) , which is really is "the race" and you can even say is "the pro sport".To be honest a lot of riders are not pro-worthy. They stacked the team low budget with riders from their development squad. Though for the Tour they can field a really nice team with Vauquelin, Gesbert, Demare, Garcia Pierna, C-Rod2, Costiou, Guarnalec and Gugliemi but they haven't got a B-squad. Mozzato and Svestad will find their place next year.
You could also argue than winning a stage of Besseges is way better than finishing 6th of a Dauphine sprint stage.I've always ranked a stage win in Dauphine the same as 4th place in the prestigious one-day race Antwerp Port Epic / Sels Trophy. The UCI-points system <3
Astana do have the fourth most wins this season; most off them at .Pro level.Not sure if it's been discussed in this thread, but I came to think that if you reduce points for minor placings and put some ICI points on the climbs and sprints, you may actually improve racing as:
• Teams like Astana would chase the win rather than bein satisfied with 3 people in top 10.
•Teams close to the relegation zone would be more inclined to join the break in sprint stages.
Of course, this won't have massive effect on year one of the cycle, but on the second and especially 3rd year it's a change I'd like to see.
The simple rule change should be to only have the points from your best placed rider count in any day of racing for teams. GC at stage races and Grand tours may be the exception. That way, teams will race for the best result possible rather than stack 3 guys in top 10. Such an easy win for the sport. UCI obviously asleep at the wheel.Not sure if it's been discussed in this thread, but I came to think that if you reduce points for minor placings and put some ICI points on the climbs and sprints, you may actually improve racing as:
• Teams like Astana would chase the win rather than bein satisfied with 3 people in top 10.
•Teams close to the relegation zone would be more inclined to join the break in sprint stages.
Of course, this won't have massive effect on year one of the cycle, but on the second and especially 3rd year it's a change I'd like to see.
With regard to team participation in UCI WorldTour events and following the decision taken last March to add a 23rd team to the Grand Tours, the UCI Management Committee has decided, on the recommendation of the PCC, that from 2026 onwards, Grand Tour organisers must invite the three top UCI ProTeams in addition to the 18 UCI WorldTeams and the two teams to which they award a wild card. The invitation of the three best UCI ProTeams will also apply to all UCI WorldTour stage races. The three best UCI ProTeams from the previous year will thus have access to all events on the UCI WorldTour calendar.
I understand your point of view and the UCI promoting big money teams. But, Cofidis is only 400 points above Q36.5. It is still possible for them to lose everything. The battle between Picnic/Cofidis but also Tudor/Q will be fierce. And yes, wildcards can become again tricky.As expected. You would want to be a Pro Team if you're not good enough. Like I said before, a team like UNO X would be stupid to try to go for WT. They are in an absolute luxurious position as one of the best Pro Teams.
Also perfect for Cofidis if they relegate. They shouldn't stress anymore.
It's funny cause ASO, RCS and Q36.5, the 3 main actors who pushed for that extra WC hate to see this. The whole point of the extra WC is lost doing this. RCS for example will have to either let Polti/Bardiani (could be saved if Polti doesnt make top 30) or q36.5 at home if no one forfeits their invite. Cofidis probably will. But they won't for the Vuelta.
At the end of the day it will mostly be fine for everyone as long as Arkea disappears. Everyone will get the Tour invite anyways.
I understand your point of view and the UCI promoting big money teams. But, Cofidis is only 400 points above Q36.5. It is still possible for them to lose everything. The battle between Picnic/Cofidis but also Tudor/Q will be fierce. And yes, wildcards can become again tricky.