2024 Season Review | From UAE Team Emirates to the INEOS Grenadiers, ranking each UCI World Tour team’s 2024 season

As 2025 draws to a close, we have spent the past few weeks and months reviewing each World Tour team’s season in 2024. And wow, what a range of fortunes we’ve had. From the highs of Tadej Pogacar and UAE Team Emirates, to the lows of the INEOS Grenadiers, there was a such a wide variety of performances from the teams in the peloton this season.

Now, let’s rank each of the eighteen squads seasons, and find out which teams will be hoping for more of the same in 2025, and which teams will be desperately trying to turn things around.

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1. UAE Team Emirates – 9.5/10 UAE Team Emirates had a season for the history books, led by Tadej Pogacar. His hat-trick of wins in the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and the World Championships confirmed his status as one of the sport’s all-time greats. The team was consistently strong in both stage races and one-day events, and their incredible depth with the likes of Joao Almeida and Adam Yates shows that they’re more than just Team Pogacar. Their ability to perform across the calendar, from Grand Tours to smaller stage races, highlights a structure built for sustained dominance that could last long into the future. Few teams in cycling history have achieved such a comprehensive display of excellence in a single year.

2. Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale – 8.5/10 AG2R La Mondiale enjoyed a fantastic 2024 season, highlighted by Ben O’Connor’s career best performance at the Vuelta a Espana. The team also saw consistent results in smaller stage races and one-day events, helping them jump up the UCI rankings. Decathlon’s involvement and investment in the team paid off, and their well-rounded roster excelled in both high-profile and lower-tier races. While there’s still room for improvement at their home race the Tour de France, this year was a strong resurgence for the French outfit and set a solid foundation for future success.

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3. Soudal-Quick Step – 8.5/10 Soudal-Quick Step bid farewell to Julian Alaphilippe but not before a season filled with highlights. Remco Evenepoel’s debut at the Tour de France impressed as he silenced his doubters with a stage win, the white jersey, and third place, before he made history at the Olympics. Tim Merlier reaffirmed his place among the top sprinters with several high-profile wins, and the team continued to pick up wins in one-day races and maintained its reputation as one of the best teams in the peloton. Despite changes on the horizon, with the departure of Patrick Lefevere being announced in recent weeks, they showed a strong balance between sprint and GC capabilities, ensuring another solid season.

Remco Evenepoel and Mikel Landa both were at their best at the 2024 Tour de France

4. Alpecin-Deceuninck – 8/10 Alpecin-Deceuninck thrived once again, with Mathieu van der Poel delivering an unforgettable spring with victories at the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. The team’s sprinters, Jasper Philipsen and Kaden Groves, remained among the best, racking up wins in Grand Tours and one-day races. Alpecin’s ability to perform consistently in both the classics and sprint stages made them one of the most versatile teams on the World Tour. Their balanced roster, as well as several genuine superstars, cemented their status as a top-tier team in 2024.

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5. Red Bull – Bora - Hansgrohe – 8/10 Primoz Roglic’s debut season with Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe saw a rollercoaster of results. While their Tour de France campaign faltered, Roglic redeemed himself with a Vuelta a Espana victory, his fourth red jersey overall. The team’s other riders, such as Jai Hindley and Aleksandr Vlasov, showed flashes of what they’re capable of but will be hoping for more consistent results next year. Despite some inconsistencies, the team’s first year with the involvement of Red Bull showed what they’re capable of, making 2024 a respectable season overall.

6. Lidl-Trek – 8/10 Lidl-Trek showed significant growth, with Mattias Skjelmose and Jonathan Milan stepping up as key riders. Their performances in the UCI rankings reflected a well-rounded campaign, including victories in stage races and strong results in one-day events. Mads Pedersen continued to shine as an all rounder even if he still didn’t have the best of luck, demonstrating the team’s potential for even greater success in the coming years. Lidl-Trek is evolving into something of a powerhouse, capable of competing at the highest level even with teams with a larger budget.

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7. Intermarché-Wanty – 8/10 Intermarché-Wanty delivered another strong season, led by Biniam Girmay’s history making Tour de France campaign. The team continued to exceed expectations with impressive performances in stage races and classics, and their ability to punch above their weight against more established teams has become a hallmark of their identity. Intermarché’s knack for finding and developing talent makes them a consistent threat across the calendar, and their 2024 season was no exception.

8. EF Education-EasyPost – 7/10 Richard Carapaz led EF Education-EasyPost with an outstanding season, and he was one of the most exciting riders throughout the season. However, there are concerns heading into 2025, as the team’s depth appeared limited when Carapaz wasn’t performing. The American squad’s focus on grand tours and classics yielded mixed results, with strong showings in some races but inconsistent performances elsewhere. While 2024 was a solid year, the team needs to strengthen its roster to compete consistently at the highest level.

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9. Team Visma | Lease a Bike – 7/10 Jonas Vingegaard’s brilliance carried Team Visma-Lease a Bike through a challenging 2024 season, even if the Dane himself struggled with his horrific injury in the spring. Despite his individual success, including a second place at the Tour de France, the team struggled with injuries to key riders like Wout van Aert. A hangover from their dominant 2023 season seemed evident, as they lacked the firepower displayed in previous years. While Vingegaard remains their focal point, the team must rebuild around him to maintain their place among cycling’s elite, as UAE Team Emirates now appear to have the upper hand.

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10. Astana Qazaqstan Team – 6/10 Astana Qazaqstan celebrated Mark Cavendish’s record-breaking Tour de France stage win, which provided a historic highlight that we will talk about for years to come. However, beyond Cavendish’s achievements, the team’s season was relatively average. Their focus on securing big-name signings for 2025 indicates ambition, but 2024 lacked the depth of results needed to compete with the top teams. They’ll need to deliver more across the board to justify their World Tour status going forward.

11. Team DSM-Firmenich – 6/10 Team DSM’s 2024 season saw a mix of highs and lows. Romain Bardet’s incredible Tour de France stage win was a fitting farewell, but Fabio Jakobsen’s struggles left questions about their sprinting ambitions. The team managed to secure solid results in stage races but lacked the consistency and star power needed to challenge the best. A rebuilding phase seems inevitable as they aim for a more positive year in 2025.

12. Groupama-FDJ – 5.5/10 Groupama-FDJ had a mixed first year post-Thibaut Pinot, with promising results but looming challenges on the horizon. Losing Lenny Martinez to another team could hurt their future prospects, though the current roster showed flashes of potential. While they achieved respectable performances in both stage races and classics, consistency remained an issue. The team needs to focus on developing young talents and strengthening its depth to avoid slipping further down the rankings, which would be a travesty for French cycling.

Fabio Jakobsen struggled in 2024

13. Movistar Team – 5/10 Movistar’s season was saved by Enric Mas’s strong Vuelta a Espana performance, but the team faces significant challenges heading into 2025. Big departures have left gaps in their roster, and their ability to remain competitive in both Grand Tours and classics is in doubt. While they had moments of brilliance, the overall lack of depth and consistency left them mid-pack in 2024.

14. Arkea-B&B Hotels – 5/10 Arkea-BB’s season was a confusing one to understand. While they celebrated a Tour de France victory, Arnaud Démare’s struggles highlighted the team’s inconsistencies. With 2025 shaping up to be a potentially difficult year, Arkea must focus on bolstering their roster to maintain their place in the World Tour. Their 2024 campaign had notable moments, but it was far from smooth sailing.

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15. Team Jayco AlUla – 4/10 Jayco AlUla endured a tough 2024 season, with Caleb Ewan and Simon Yates failing to hit their best form. Despite standout results from Eddie Dunbar and Michael Matthews, the team struggled to find consistency. Their performances in Grand Tours and one-day races lacked the punch required to compete with the top teams, and significant improvements are needed to turn their fortunes around in 2025.

16. Bahrain Victorious – 4.5/10 Bahrain Victorious had a disappointing season, despite the emergence of Antonio Tiberi as a bright prospect. The departure of Jonathan Milan leaves a significant void in the team’s sprinting capabilities, and with few standout results and a lack of consistency, 2024 was a step back for the team. They’ll need to regroup and focus on rebuilding their roster to regain competitiveness.

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17. Cofidis – 3.5/10 Cofidis struggled throughout 2024, with little to celebrate in Grand Tours or one-day races. The team faced challenges on multiple fronts, failing to secure significant victories or consistent performances. As they look to 2025, maintaining their World Tour status will be a critical focus.

18. INEOS Grenadiers – 3/10 INEOS Grenadiers experienced a nightmare 2024 season, relying heavily on 38 year old Geraint Thomas in a year marred by drama and underperformance. Tom Pidcock’s controversies and their lack of success in the Tour de France underscored a team in crisis, and Pidcock has now left the team. Once dominant, INEOS now faces an uphill battle to reclaim their former glory, and a comprehensive overhaul in terms of squad, management, and strategy, seems necessary to avoid further decline.