Cycling, wild card rules change in Grand Tours

Rome, 31 March 2025 - Since the change in the regulation a few years ago which brought the number of riders in the teams from 9 a 8, with the total count thus decreasing from 198 a 176, with the aim of reducing 'traffic' in groups and the related presumed increase in the risk of falls, to today's turning point which goes in the opposite direction: theUCI in a certain sense it disowns itself and decides to increase the number of wild cards in the Grand Tours.  

La new regulations in the Grand Tours and the wild cards of the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia

  So, starting this year at the start of Giro d'Italia, Tour de France e Return teams will be able to be 23 and no longer alone 22, with the number of runners in the group therefore increasing again, going from 176 a 184. at 18 formations category World Tour, default participants in the Grand Tours and, according to a rumor released by CyclingFlits, who are completely against this change, are added 5 teams category Professional, chosen with certain criteria. The best 2 formations in the previous year's ranking will be entitled to an equal number of wild cards assigned automatically, while the remaining 3 will be distributed based on the free choice of the referees. The first of the three Grand Tours The one to make their wild cards known was the Tour de France. According to the new limits set by the International Federation, Israel-PremierTech e Lotto Cycling Team benefit from the default invitation thanks to the leadership in the category rankings of last season, while the remaining 3, so the 'free' ones go to the Team TotalEnergies, Uno-X Mobility and, above all, to Tudor Pro Cycling Team di Julian Alaphilippe, the child of the country who, as per malicious long-term forecasts, is not left out of the Great Boucle despite the farewell to Soudal Quick Step and the consequent relegation of category. There is an illustrious exclusion, which is already causing discussion, and it is that of Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team, the other Swiss team, the one where another big shot plays like tom pidcock which, at this point, dives into the Giro d'Italia together with Team Polti VisitMalta, Tudor Pro Cycling Team e VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè. This year too, the Lotto Cycling Team declines the invitation (default party), leaving theIsrael-PremierTech the only place gained by ranking.

Problems for De Lie and Kooij

  In the season of Grand Tours there's still a little while to go, but in the meantime spring is here Classics it gets complicated for two potential protagonists like Arnaud De Lie e Olav Kooij, in the pits for different reasons. The Belgian decides to stop, giving up the imminent Dwars Door Vlanderen e Tour of Flanders, for excessive tiredness to be treated with extra rest. "Unfortunately Arnaud had to withdraw from Ghent-Wevelgem: now he will take some time for himself, with the hope that he can return to the race soon and in good condition", these are the statements of the Lotto Cycling Team. Even the Dutch of the Visma-Lease a Bike he had to leave halfway the race he had won with a great number Mads pedersen, but for a fall which, after the appropriate tests, revealed a fracture of the clavicle which, to stay on topic, could complicate the situation in view of a Giro d'Italia ever closer to the horizon.Read also - Napoli does not give up on Inter, but the Bologna obstacle is on the horizon