Norwegian ProTeam Uno-X Mobility are hoping to be on the start-line of the Tour de France for the third time in succession when the French Grand Tour rolls out of Lille subsequent July.
As a second division squad, Uno-X Mobility need to depend on an invite to the race from organisers ASO. Resulting from their rankings within the UCI crew classification, Israel-Premier Tech and Lotto-Dstny have already secured their locations on the 2025 Tour.
Uno-X Mobility might be chasing one of many closing two wildcard locations with Tudor Professional Biking and TotalEnergies. The ultimate spots for the Tour are anticipated to be introduced in January.
A delegation of seven from Uno-X Mobility attended the 2025 Tour de France route presentation in Paris on Tuesday, together with 5 riders, basic supervisor Thor Hushovd and Ole Robert Reitan, the Chief Government of Reitan Retail which owns the Uno-X Mobility firm.
“We’ve not obtained the invitation but, sadly. We wish to meet ASO, meet the administration, meet the organiser, speak to them and present that we’re severe about this,” Hushovd instructed TV2.
The previous world street race champion, who was appointed as basic supervisor of Uno-X Mobility firstly of the 2024 season, hopes that the crew’s sturdy presence on the route’s unveiling will swing issues of their favour. In accordance with Hushovd, there have been no representatives of the Swiss Tudor crew on the occasion.
“Being current and simply being seen is essential,” he stated. “There have been few athletes right here. It reveals that we take it critically and we respect ASO as an organiser. We’re combating to get this invitation as soon as extra.”
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“When the ASO organisations are gathered and have a abstract of this, they may speak about the truth that Uno-X was right here, the proprietor was right here, and we take that critically.”
“They weren’t current, Tudor. I did not see a human being. I consider that such issues must be addressed,” he added.
Their Swiss rivals have made seismic strikes within the switch market forward of their push for a 2025 Tour spot. Tudor, who’re managed by Hushovd’s former Classics rival Fabian Cancellara, have signed the likes of Julian Alaphilippe from Soudal Fast-Step and Marc Hirschi from UAE Group Emirates. Had been Tudor to be invited, it will be their first time competing within the Tour.
TotalEnergies, in the meantime, have the benefit of being a house crew, and have participated in each Tour since their inception in 2000.
“The intestine feeling remains to be superb, however one should take critically that Tudor has signed two extraordinarily good riders with Hirschi and Alaphilippe. However on the similar time, we’ve got had an excellent season,” Hushovd stated.
ASO boss Christian Prudhomme admitted that the 2025 wildcard choice is among the many most troublesome he has taken half in. “Generally it is very straightforward, it will not be like that this 12 months,” he instructed TV2.
“I used to be impressed [by Uno-X Mobility], and I’ve obtained just a few messages from Thor Hushovd,” he added.
Uno-X Mobility carried out nicely throughout the 2024 Tour, with breakaway specialist Jonas Abrahamsen carrying the Polka Dot jersey from stage one to 10.
The crew’s most skilled rider, Alexander Kristoff, a veteran of 11 editions of the Tour de France and a winner of 4 levels, believes that his crew deserves an invitation from a sporting perspective.
“Simply sportingly, as of immediately, I really feel we’re in,” the 37-year-old stated.
“It is a bit of a more durable battle. Tudor has signed many good riders and we’re combating in opposition to Complete, which is French.”
“It’s important by way of sponsorship and visibility and such. So it is going to be a defeat [to not get an invite] when you’ve gotten been concerned for 2 years.”
