The Tour de France wildcard selection has sparked some heated debates, and today's announcement is a prime example. The last wildcard invite went to Caja Rural, leaving the Unibet Rose Rockets out in the cold. While it may come as a surprise to some, a closer look reveals a pattern that makes this decision less shocking.
Let's break it down. Q36.5, Tudor, and Cofidis automatically secured their spots, leaving two wildcard positions up for grabs. TotalEnergies was a strong contender, given their recent success and local support, especially with the team's French roots and political backing. It's no surprise they received an invite, especially with their new partnership with the Tour.
But here's where it gets controversial: the choice between Caja Rural and the Unibet Rose Rockets. Caja Rural, a Spanish team, benefited from the Barcelona grand départ, but it's not just that. Even Spanish TV commentary highlighted the team's presence, creating a buzz around them.
Tour boss Christian Prudhomme justified the decision by citing UCI rankings, with Caja Rural ahead of the Rockets. However, this isn't a hard and fast rule. Take 2020, for instance, when Vital Concept was chosen despite a lower ranking, while higher-ranked teams were left out.
Neither team boasts a must-have rider. The Rockets have Dylan Groenewegen, 32, while Caja's sprinter, Fernando Gaviria, is 31. Victor Lafay, a potential great signing for the Rockets, has an impressive power-weight ratio, but injuries have hindered his progress. Similarly, Caja Rural's Abel Balderstone, the Spanish TT champion, finished a respectable 13th in the last Vuelta, but neither rider is a guaranteed game-changer.
Prudhomme also noted that the Rockets don't embrace their French identity as much as expected. Their switch from Dutch to French was more of a strategic move to avoid sponsorship bans, and their French address is more of a formality than a true base. However, they've consistently participated in the Coupe de France series, even hiring last year's winner, Clément Venturini. Perhaps they could have gone the extra mile, like showing up at ASO's offices on a tractor with stale baguettes, as Prudhomme might suggest!
The Rockets' strength lies in their communication, quickly producing engaging videos in an era where many teams still rely on text press releases. It's a refreshing approach that encourages fan interaction, but it's not a decisive factor for the Tour's organizers.
And this is the part most people miss: the Rockets haven't received invites to other ASO races either. No Paris-Nice, no Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and no Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. It's a clear indication that ASO isn't as invested in the team as they are with others, like NetApp or Uno-X.
Meanwhile, Caja Rural has been invited to several ASO races, including the Dauphiné, Liège, Flèche, and Catalunya. They've been consistently participating in ASO events, building a rapport that the Rockets haven't yet established.
The Vuelta invites also favor domestic teams, with Kern Pharma and Burgos-Burgpellet-BH getting the nod. Caja Rural's absence is less of a blow, as they'll still be on TV in July.
Over in Italy, the Giro invitations are still pending, with less than 100 days to go. While landmarks are being illuminated in pink, we're still in the dark about the participating teams.
With Cofidis reportedly declining their invitation, three spots are up for grabs. Bardiani and Polti-Malta are likely contenders, but the third spot is a mystery. There's talk of a Spanish team, but the Rockets could also fill that void. For a new team, a grand tour debut at the Giro might be a more manageable start.
Conclusion: Looking back, Paris-Nice's decision to invite TotalEnergies instead of the Rockets was a telling sign. Since then, their chances have slimmed with no other ASO invites. The Rockets' absence from the Dauphiné yesterday further solidifies this trend.
Caja Rural's selection over the Rockets is a surprise, but when you consider the lack of invites for the Franco-Dutch team and Caja Rural's consistent wildcard benefits, it's less shocking.
While the impact of ProTeams like Caja Rural and the Rockets might not be massive at the Tour, the selection process and criteria are intriguing. With the top WorldTeams secure, the second tier offers more room for debate, considering sporting appeal, rankings, communication, and identity.
The Giro invitations are still pending, so the Rockets might still get their chance. And looking ahead, there's a good chance they'll be at the Tour in 2027, especially if Total Energies' sponsorship is short-lived.
What do you think, readers? Should the Rockets have received more support from ASO? And how important are these wildcard selections in shaping the cycling landscape? Let's discuss in the comments!
