"I'm really disappointed" - Andreas Leknessund gutted to miss out on Uno-X Mobility lineup for Tour de France

Uno-X Mobility have become the first team to officially confirm their eight man lineup for the 2024 Tour de France. Although notable names such as Magnus Cort Nielsen and Alexander Kristoff are present, Andreas Leknessund has missed out.

Probably the biggest absentee from Uno-X Mobility's lineup for the upcoming Tour de France is their marquee signing from the recent off-season, Andreas Leknessund. The 25-year-old Norwegian finished 8th at the 2023 Giro d'Italia and was expected to lead the Uno-X charge in terms of a general classification result at this summer's Tour de France. "I think it's bloody boring. It's boring not to get a place in the team. This was initially a clear place. I haven't managed to hold on to it," he reacts in conversation with TV2. "I'm really disappointed about that."

"It's been a difficult process to select this team. That's because they're doing so incredibly well these days," explains Uno-X Mobility general manager Thor Hushovd. "There are more than the eight presented who deserve to be in France this summer. Of course I feel sorry for them, but at the same time it's gratifying that Uno-X has got such a wide range of riders."

As mentioned, four time Tour de France stage winner, Alexander Kristoff has a lot of experience of cycling's biggest race and this latest trip around France will be the 11th of his career, and as such, much will be expected of him. "I think it is quite a complex team. We can perform on many different stages, so in that sense it will be exciting to follow all the stages. It will be exciting this summer," previews the 36-year-old Norwegian in conversation with TV2.

Kristoff himself has enjoyed something of a resurgence lately, adding four wins to his palmares in the last couple of months. As such, Kristoff, who wore the Maillot Jaune for a day back in 2020, is hopeful he can roll back the years at the 2024 Tour de France and be the one to secure Uno-X Mobility their first Grand Tour stage win. "I think a stage win could be within reach," he assesses confidently. "I've been riding well for the last month."