Ardennes Classics at risk for Hirschi and Alaphilippe due to Tour of the Alps, with both also demanded by the Giro
Cycling
Follow IDL Pro Cycling on Google
Stay up to date with the best cycling news by making us a preferred source on Google.
Follow us on GoogleThe battle for the wildcards for the Grand Tours is in full swing, although there is still a chance that the number of participating teams will be expanded. For the Vuelta a España, the choices seem largely set. However, for the Tour de France—and especially the Giro d’Italia—things remain exciting, with high-level 3D chess, according to Cyclingnews.
ADVERTISEMENT
In recent years, the Vuelta organizers have used an effective rotation system, ensuring that the four existing Spanish ProTeams are guaranteed a spot at least once every two years in the Spanish Grand Tour. The decisions used to be less complicated for the Giro and the Tour. But that has changed with the emergence of Tudor and Q36.5, as more teams—rightly so—are now vying for these coveted golden tickets.
Even in smaller races, teams like Tudor and Q36.5 should be invited. The former Swiss formation fortunately got the yes from the Tour of the Alps, a crucial preparatory race for the Giro d'Italia. However, that creates a problem in the schedule of stars Julian Alaphilippe and Marc Hirschi. After all, the multi-day race intersects with the Ardennes spring. If the two wanted to prepare for the Giro in the high mountains, that would mean skipping the Amstel Gold Race and the Flèche Wallonne. At least the organization hints that they would opt for the Alps...
Text continues below photo
Turgis' victory in the Tour
TotalEnergies in the Tour, but who will join them?
There is speculation that the UCI is considering handing out an extra wildcard to the Grand Tours in 2025. This would expand the peloton from 176 to 184 riders, but it also raises questions about safety—after all, concerns over safety were a key reason for reducing peloton sizes in recent years. Until it becomes clear what will and will not happen, teams will have to do everything they can to get on the organizers’ good side.
According to current UCI rules, the eighteen WorldTour teams automatically receive an invitation to the Grand Tours, along with the two highest-ranked ProTeams of 2024. Lotto and Israel-Premier Tech will join the eighteen WorldTour teams in the Tour. As it stands, TotalEnergies is also set to line up in Lille on July 5. Q36.5 with Tom Pidcock will not be at the start, leaving Tudor Pro Cycling and Uno-X still in contention for the final spot.
Uno-X has performed well over the past two years and fully justified its wildcard. Jonas Abrahamsen, for instance, wore the polka-dot jersey during the first ten days last year. Meanwhile, Anthony Turgis delivered a stunning victory for TotalEnergies in the cobblestone stage in 2024. Tudor, on the other hand, has signed Julian Alaphilippe and Marc Hirschi and seems confident about making its Tour debut. The Tour organizer, ASO, will announce the wildcards on January 18, 2024, so a final decision is coming soon.
Text continues below photo
Will Hirschi debut in the Giro d'Italia?
Giro demands presence of Alaphilippe or Hirschi; otherwise, Pidcock grabs the wildcard
The battle for the Giro is still wide open. Lotto will not be participating, leaving three wildcards up for grabs. Who will start in Albania remains unclear. Many team managers were present at this week’s Giro route presentation, and RCS, the organisation behind the Giro, is trying to leverage the battle to its advantage.
An announcement is expected next week, but various teams told the British cycling website that negotiations are still in full swing. RCS is playing hardball and—understandably—aiming to secure the most favorable position for itself. The Italian ProTeams Team Polti VisitMalta and VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè appear to be assured of a wildcard, so the real contest is between Q36.5 and Tudor. Uno-X has already indicated it’s not interested.
Q36.5 team manager Doug Ryder has brought Tom Pidcock over from INEOS Grenadiers, hoping that will be enough to secure a Giro wildcard. Tudor, on the other hand, has served since 2023 as the “official timekeeper” of all RCS Sport races.
Text continues below photo
Presence of Alaphilippe could be crucial for Tudor
Vegni not keen on expansion plans
A reliable source told Cyclingnews in Rome on Monday that RCS Sport is demanding that Tudor include either Alaphilippe or Hirschi in their Giro squad in order to secure a 2025 wildcard. Otherwise, the spot would go to Q36.5 and Pidcock. Giro d’Italia race director Mauro Vegni was evasive when asked about the wildcards: “The Giro wildcards are not yet decided. You’ll have to wait another week until we make an announcement.”
He was also not enthusiastic about expansion plans. “I’m not interested in having 23 teams at the 2025 Giro as a solution to the problem of teams fighting over a final spot. If it were up to me, I would grant automatic invitations to the top 14 WorldTour teams and then leave six spots as wildcards to be allocated by the organizer.”
Read also
Bram van der PloegEditor-in-chief
Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.
IDL-productions
Celia Gery won the European cyclocross championship while awaiting surgery: 'It'll be a new beginning'
Dutch team coach De Knegt annoyed by European Cyclocross Championships dispute: "A bit of a let down"
Glasgow set to shine as World Cup demand outstrips expectations and Mason eyes first home cyclocross race
Pogačar, Vingegaard and Van Aert went faster again in 2026... except when they didn't
Team GB dominate, China on the rise, Lavreysen the best ever? Five takeaways from the 2026 Track World Championships
Latest Cycling News
Tadej Pogačar reveals his insane training data in new HBO film: 'I think that's what works best'
🎥 Lucinda Brand pulls out of the Niel cyclocross race in tears after just a few minutes
Visma’s American World Champion Ashlin Barry will definitely be wearing his new rainbow jersey in 2027
Pidcock's turbocharged vacation leads to struggles on the bike: 'No wonder people think cycling is hard'
Mads Pedersen weighs in on Lucinda Brand and Marie Schreiber's European Cyclocross Championship clash
Popular Cycling News
Cycling transfers 2026/2027 | Cycling transfer market still in full swing in November
Tadej Pogačar reveals his insane training data in new HBO film: 'I think that's what works best'
🎥 Lucinda Brand pulls out of the Niel cyclocross race in tears after just a few minutes
Mads Pedersen weighs in on Lucinda Brand and Marie Schreiber's European Cyclocross Championship clash
Pidcock's turbocharged vacation leads to struggles on the bike: 'No wonder people think cycling is hard'
Latest Comments
- If he finished ninth at the Tour, why didn’t he get a stage win too? I’m still trying to understand how the overall standings work.julien11-11-2026
- No ‘cross at all this winter? That’s a shame, but with his road season starting in February, I can see why he’d want a proper break. Does stepping away mean he’s done with cyclocross for good?gearguru3311-11-2026
- I like the honesty of that training post. Even the best riders feel the difference after a few weeks off, and he’s got plenty of time to build back up.samanthak11-11-2026
- Three sets of tyres in two days at the Nürburgring! The man clearly doesn’t do anything by halves. Bet a winter without cyclocross will feel strange, though.bikebuffj11-11-2026
- Fifth in the world rankings after that autumn run is some achievement. Pidcock was so aggressive at the Tour, too—hopefully he can turn a few of those near-misses into wins inpatriciaw11-11-2026
- Does XEFI’s investment mean the team will have more money to sign riders, or is it mainly a sponsorship and naming change? And is Roglič expected to race much next season?jeremya11-11-2026
- If the roster is nearly complete, why bring up Roglič at all? Feels like the article is turning a firm “no” into a transfer rumour.andrewf11-11-2026
- Wuling is no joke—105 km of climbing to 3,275 metres is brutal. Five minutes off Dyball’s record is still an incredible ride.velodromevirtuoso111-11-2026
- Roglič at TotalEnergies would be a fascinating move, but Heulot sounds pretty clear that it isn’t happening. His experience could be a massive boost for the younger riders, though.jennifer1911-11-2026
- Eight riders told to go for stages, and nobody gets one—hard to know what the plan was there. It’ll be interesting to see whether they pick a clear leader next time.bikebuffj10-11-2026