“It cannot be justified” – ASO accused of ‘big mistake’ after snubbing Unibet ROSE Rockets for Caja Rural Tour de France 2026 wildcard

ASO’s decision to award a Tour de France 2026 wildcard to Caja Rural instead of Unibet ROSE Rockets has been labelled a serious sporting error, with Danish cycling expert Emil Axelgaard arguing that the choice cannot be defended on performance grounds.

Speaking to TV2, Axelgaard described the wildcard allocation as a “gigantic surprise”, particularly given Unibet’s aggressive sporting upgrade ahead of the 2026 season and the relatively limited competition for discretionary places this year.

“It cannot be justified from a sporting perspective,” Axelgaard said, after ASO confirmed Caja Rural as one of the wildcard selections while Unibet were left out.

The decision immediately stood out within the broader context of ASO’s confirmed Tour lineup. With the automatic WorldTeam places fixed and the highest-ranked ProTeams already assured of entry, ASO were left with only a small number of discretionary wildcard slots. Those places ultimately went to established, traditional teams rather than the heavily reinforced Unibet project.

Axelgaard made clear that he had expected Unibet ROSE Rockets to be selected almost by default this year, pointing to both squad strength and structural positioning.

“I saw it as almost certain that they would select Unibet this year, when there is very little competition for places,” he said. “The team has even obtained a French licence, and they have clearly stepped things up for the coming season with names like Groenewegen, Poels and even a French hero in Lafay.”

Unibet’s winter recruitment placed proven Tour stage winners and established Grand Tour performers on the roster, while also aligning the team more closely with the Tour de France’s French identity through its licence switch. From Axelgaard’s perspective, that combination should have carried significant weight in the wildcard discussion.

“From a sporting point of view, they therefore have far more to contribute than Caja Rural,” he added, noting Unibet’s strong early-season performances in Spain as further evidence of competitive readiness.

According to Axelgaard, ASO’s decision appears to be rooted less in immediate sporting value and more in long-standing organisational principles. He suggested the Tour organisers prefer to evaluate teams first in races such as Paris-Nice or the Criterium du Dauphine before granting them access to the Tour de France.

That approach worked in Caja Rural’s favour, having already been tested by ASO in recent seasons, while Unibet remain comparatively new at the very top tier despite rapid progress. The Tour’s 2026 Spanish Grand Depart may also have played a subtle role, reinforcing Caja Rural’s geographical appeal even as Unibet now operate under a French licence.

Still, Axelgaard argued that those factors should not outweigh the road quality.

“I see it as a big mistake from a sporting perspective,” he said. “Caja Rural simply cannot offer what Unibet can.”

Axelgaard pointed specifically to Unibet’s rider depth when outlining why he believes the wildcard decision falls short. He highlighted signs of resurgence from Dylan Groenewegen, rapid development from Lukas Kubis, and Victor Lafay’s encouraging return to form following injury.

By contrast, he acknowledged that Caja Rural did produce flashes of promise during the Vuelta a Espana, where riders such as Abel Balderstone and Jaume Guardeno enjoyed breakthrough moments. However, he questioned whether those performances would translate to the demands of the Tour de France.

“They had a small breakthrough at the Vuelta, but they will come up short at the Tour,” Axelgaard said. “It cannot be justified from a sporting point of view.”

With Unibet ROSE Rockets investing heavily in their sporting project and positioning themselves clearly with the Tour de France in mind, their omission from the 2026 race is likely to remain a talking point throughout the season.

Axelgaard’s assessment cuts to the core of the debate. While ASO’s wildcard philosophy may prioritise continuity and controlled progression, critics argue that the Tour risks sidelining teams capable of delivering greater sporting impact in favour of safer, familiar choices.

For now, ASO’s decision stands. But as Unibet continue to perform and Caja Rural prepare for the sport’s biggest stage, the question of whether this wildcard can truly be defended is unlikely to go away.