2024 Season Review | Arkéa-B&B Hotels: Tour de France victory; Arnaud Demare's struggles, possible disaster in 2025

Arkéa-B&B Hotels finished the 2024 season in a similar position to last year, 19th in the UCI WorldTeam rankings, accumulating 8735 points, which is an improvement from the 7229 points they managed in 2023.

However, this increase wasn’t enough to regain the form they showed in 2022, when they finished 13th. The team, based in Rennes, France, has had its struggles this season, exposing how dependent they are on key riders like Arnaud Démare, who endured a challenging year that impacted the team's overall performance.

Arnaud Démare’s 2024 season was far from his best. The 33-year-old, once a regular contender in major sprint classics, was unable to match his past achievements. Démare, a former winner of Milan-San Remo and a 10-time stage winner in Grand Tours, was a shadow of his former self this year, even abandoning the Tour de France after 19 stages. This decline in form hit Arkéa-B&B Hotels hard, as the team heavily relies on his sprinting ability to secure points in the World Tour rankings. His lack of presence in the big sprint classics meant the team was missing one of its primary point-earners, and it showed.

The team's struggles underscore how crucial Démare’s performance is to their success. While 2024 saw a slight improvement in total points compared to 2023, it’s clear that Arkéa-B&B Hotels needs a strong Démare to make a more significant impact, and to gain more victories. If the veteran sprinter can regain his top form, the team could be back in contention for top finishes in 2025. Without that, they may continue to flounder in the lower ranks of the World Tour.

The 2024 classics season was a mixed bag for Arkéa-B&B Hotels. Competing in races often dominated by cycling superstars like Tadej Pogacar and Mathieu van der Poel, it was a challenge for any team outside the elite to make a mark. However, one standout moment came from 26-year-old Italian Luca Mozzato, who delivered the team's best result of the year with a stunning second-place finish at the Tour of Flanders. Finishing behind the formidable Mathieu van der Poel, Mozzato’s achievement earned Arkéa-B&B Hotels 200 WorldTour points, their biggest haul of the season, which was significant for a team that struggled to find consistency.

The Tour of Flanders is one of cycling's toughest races, renowned for its steep cobbled climbs and unpredictable weather. Mozzato's second place highlighted both his talent and potential for future classics success. In addition to his Tour of Flanders performance, Mozzato claimed victory at the Bredene Koksijde Classic, showcasing his ability to handle the cobbled terrain and raising hopes for more classics success in the upcoming season. This smaller Belgian race, often overshadowed by the Monuments, provided a morale boost for the team amidst a challenging year.

Another strong classics performance came from 23-year-old French rider Kevin Vauquelin, who finished second at La Flèche Wallonne. Losing out to Stephen Williams, Vauquelin’s result brought in another 150 World Tour points for the team, making it their second-highest points-scoring race of the year. His development is a promising sign, with Vauquelin set to be a key rider for Arkéa-B&B Hotels as they navigate the post-2024 landscape.

Meanwhile, Florian Sénéchal, who joined the team in 2024 as a cobbled classics specialist, struggled to live up to expectations. His season was marred by personal and professional difficulties, including a 62nd place at the Tour of Flanders, a disappointing outcome for a rider expected to lead in the spring classics.

Sénéchal’s challenges, including the emotional toll of his grandfather's passing, took a visible toll on his performance. In a candid interview with Le Télégramme, he admitted feeling on the brink of burnout, confessing: "I was close to a burn-out. I thought about ending my career." Despite the hardships, Sénéchal has recommitted himself to a comeback in 2025, a sentiment that echoes the team’s need for resilience.

Arkéa-B&B Hotels’ grand tour season was a story of two halves: one moment of glory contrasted by a series of underwhelming results. The highlight was undoubtedly Kevin Vauquelin’s victory in Stage 2 of the Tour de France. The 23-year-old Frenchman delivered an impressive solo win on the San Luca climb, showcasing his climbing prowess and providing a rare moment of triumph for the team on cycling’s biggest stage. This victory was significant, not only for Vauquelin’s career but for Arkéa-B&B Hotels, marking their first-ever Tour de France stage win.

However, beyond Vauquelin’s success, the team's grand tour performances were largely forgettable. Cristian Rodriguez, the team’s main GC contender, managed 36th place in the Tour and 13th at the Vuelta, replicating his 2023 Vuelta finish. While these results demonstrate his consistency, they lack the star quality needed to elevate the team’s standing. Rodriguez’s 5th place at the Tour of Oman was a positive, yet isolated, highlight in a season that failed to deliver sustained grand tour success. This is truly an area the team must work on if they are to solidify their place in the World Tour going forward. Of course, this is easier said than done.

As Arkéa-B&B Hotels looks to the future, they are facing a period of transition. The team is set to lose several key riders in 2025 as a cost-cutting measure. Riders like Clément Champoussin, Louis Barré, Mathis Louvel, Daniel McLay, and Alan Riou are all set to depart for new teams, leaving a gap in Arkéa-B&B Hotels' roster. This shift in personnel reflects the team's financial challenges, adding pressure to perform with a potentially thinner squad next season.

Looking ahead, Arkéa-B&B Hotels will need to capitalise on the foundations they’ve laid this year while addressing their weaknesses. A number of key goals should guide their strategy:

Reinvigorating Arnaud Démare: The French veteran’s return to form is crucial. If Démare can recover his past brilliance, particularly in the sprint classics, Arkéa-B&B Hotels will have a solid chance to challenge for top finishes. A strong Démare would not only boost the team’s points tally but also serve as a morale booster for the entire squad.

Developing Kevin Vauquelin: Vauquelin’s impressive performances in 2024 show he has the potential to be a future leader, and Arkea must utilise his talents or he will certainly be snapped up by a competitor. The team should invest in his development, aiming to make him a consistent performer in both the classics and grand tours. His victory on Stage 2 of the Tour de France was a highlight, and the goal for 2025 should be to build on that momentum with more stage wins and a solid GC presence.

Strengthening the Classics Squad: The classics remain a key area for Arkéa-B&B Hotels. Luca Mozzato’s success in 2024 hints at his potential to become a leader in these demanding races. Supporting riders like Mozzato and giving Florian Sénéchal the tools he needs to recover from a difficult year will be vital. A strong classics squad could help the team make up for any losses in the grand tours.

Making Strategic Transfers: With several riders leaving, Arkéa-B&B Hotels should look to the transfer market for emerging talents who can step up in 2025. Younger riders with promise in both the classics and stage races could provide the depth they need without straining the budget.

Arkéa-B&B Hotels’ 2024 season saw missed opportunities and flashes of promise. Kevin Vauquelin’s Tour de France stage win and Luca Mozzato’s classics performances were high points, but the team remains overly dependent on Arnaud Démare, whose struggles this year weighed heavily on their results. With a roster in transition and financial challenges ahead, 2025 will be a critical year for Arkéa-B&B Hotels. They have the potential to rebound, but it will take smart management, strong leadership from key riders, and a bit of luck to break into the top tier of WorldTour teams. Without that, they could find themselves at risk of relegation going forward.