"Julian Alaphilippe would have been an accelerator for invitations" - TotalEnergies fear for future Tour de France wildcard prospects

After losing their big name rider Peter Sagan at the end of the 2023 season, TotalEnergies have been searching for a new superstar to lead them into the coming years. Having missed out on main target Julian Alaphilippe though, the French team are concerned about their prospects.

"We believed in it. Julian Alaphilippe would have been an accelerator for invitations," explains team manager Jean-Rene Bernaudeau in conversation with Centre Presse. Having been present at the Tour de France since 2000 under their former guises Bonjour and Europcar, are the French-based outfit now at risk of missing out on wildcard selection for the 2025 edition of their home Grand Tour?

"That's how it is. Julian won't be with us, it's a shame," Bernaudeau continues, however he doesn't hold a grudge against the two time world champion, who instead opted to join the Tudor Pro Cycling Team after leaving Soudal - Quick-Step. "The Tudor Pro Cycling Team project is a great project, like that of Uno X - Mobility."

Even within TotalEnergies at the moment, things aren't completely settled. One of the stars of the 2024 squad, Pierre Latour has not completely convinced Bernaudeau of his capabilities, meaning unrest within the team. "It's complicated with Pierre Latour," admits the team manager. "We're very unhappy, he's not doing well on the descents."