Alaphilippe, Bardet, … terrible first in the 21st century for French runners

The 2024 cycling season came to an end for most riders with the Tour of Lombardy on Saturday. This race was the last big meeting of the year and the main names are now on vacation, notably Tadej Pogacar, author of a monstrous season, and Remco Evenepoel. But some riders still have appointments in Asia to compete in the Tour of Guangxi in China. We will find the Frenchman Pavel Sivakov, 6th in the Tour of Lombardy and author of a good end to the season. And we hope that the runner from the UAE-Team Emirates team, who will be the leader in this race, will win. Because it would put an end to a very long drought for French cycling given that no French rider has won a World Tour stage race since Christophe Moreau in 2007. Above all, he would take points with a view to the UCI ranking and that would make good for French cycling, which will experience a terrible first in the 21st century.

Terrible first for French cyclists in the 21st century…

In the world rankings, Sivakov is currently 90th, having jumped 51 places after the Tour of Lombardy. But he will not be able to overtake Romain Bardet, guaranteed to finish first French in the UCI ranking. The DSM rider is 33rd and this shows the immense difficulties of French cycling this season. Because never in the 21st century has the highest ranked Frenchman been so far away. Julian Alaphilippe follows behind, in 36th place, just ahead of Benoit Cosnefroy and Valentin Madouas, respectively 39th and 40th. We will therefore have to question ourselves on the side of the French riders in order to seek a better ranking next season and forget this terrible year 2024, which will remain in the annals for a sad reason…

Also read on Daily Sports.com: