It is normally a ritual. Every year at the end of October, the route of the next Tour de France is revealed at the Palais des Congrès. And in the front row, the best from the previous edition attend the ceremony. But this year, the only big names announced by ASO, the organizer of the event, are the Englishman Mark Cavendish, who in 2024 broke the record for stage victories on the Tour (35) and the Eritrean Biniam Girmay, first African to win the green jersey in the points classification. But none of the first three in the general classification, Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel will be present.
Even among the French, there won't be many people. Groupama-FDJ will not send its leader, David Gaudu, and will be represented by Romain Grégoire, Valentin Madouas and Lenny Martinez (who will no longer be in the team next year).
Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal – Quick-Step) is announced. But, according to some indiscretions, the double world champion is ill and should ultimately stay at home. He could have served as VRP for his future Swiss team Tudor, which is demanding an invitation for next year. But the Swiss Marcel Hirschi (UAE), also recruited by Tudor, will be present.
Only two teams will send five riders each: the French from TotalEnergies and the Norwegians from Uno-X. Two teams who also hope to obtain an invitation for the next Tour…
If so few runners are going to make the trip, it is because they simply do not want to interrupt their vacation. In cycling, fall is the only time when riders can mentally cut ties with their activity. And the date of the presentation did not help some people to delay their departure on vacation. Usually, it is around October 25 that the presentation of the course is made. But this year the Palais des Congrès was not available before October 29. Too late for the majority of the peloton.
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