A Strategic Move by
Alpecin-Deceuninck?
Alpecin-Deceuninck’s decision to
retain Groves makes sense on several fronts. The team has built an excellent
infrastructure for sprinters, with a well-honed lead-out train that has
delivered multiple stage wins across various Grand Tours. Their steady growth
as a WorldTour team and their expertise in sprint finishes provide an ideal
environment for Groves to continue thriving.
But there’s a significant
complication: Jasper Philipsen. The Belgian sprinter, who narrowly missed out
on the green jersey to Biniam Girmay at the 2024 Tour de France, is still
regarded as the peloton’s top sprinter. Philipsen’s success, particularly when
paired with superstar Mathieu van der Poel, has been a cornerstone of
Alpecin-Deceuninck’s strategy at the Tour.
The Groves vs. Philipsen
Dilemma
This dynamic creates an
intriguing conundrum for Alpecin-Deceuninck. Groves, despite his undeniable
talent, has yet to debut at the Tour de France, largely due to Philipsen’s
dominance in the team. In both 2023 and 2024, Groves has been sent to the Vuelta
and the Giro, where he has excelled, particularly in Spain. However, for a
sprinter of his calibre, the allure of competing on cycling’s biggest stage—the
Tour de France—is undeniable. Many expected Groves to seek a new team where he
would be the undisputed leader in sprints, regardless of the Grand Tour.
The question now is whether
Alpecin-Deceuninck can—or will—accommodate both sprinters in their plans for
the Tour de France. The answer is probably not, a combination of two sprinters
in one team would create more problems that possibilities.
But Groves, with his current
form, certainly deserves a shot at the Tour. Both in 2023 and 2024 he’s been
the number 1 pure sprinter at La Vuelta, it’s now time he targets race
victories elsewhere.
A Future Clash of Titans?
As Groves continues to rack up
victories at La Vuelta, the cycling world is left wondering: when will we see a
head-to-head clash between him and Philipsen in the same Grand Tour? Such a
showdown could definitively answer the question of who Alpecin-Deceuninck’s
number one fast man is truly, but it’s highly unlikely that the team would
allow the two to face off.
Until then, Groves must keep
doing what he’s doing, and bide his time in the fast lane.
