Tudor Pro Cycling not overly interested in available World Tour license: "We are committed to our long-term plan to achieve that status"

While the merger between Jumbo-Visma and Soudal-Quick-Step is still up in the air, there is a possibility that a WorldTour license will become available. Several ambitious projects have already had their say on this. One of the teams that insiders consider promising is Tudor Pro Cycling. But the Swiss team of owner Fabian Cancellara is not keen, close source informs WielerFlits.

"We have of course also received the news, but our planning for 2024 is almost ready," says CEO Raphael Meyer. "We have already strengthened our team with both riders and staff, to be ready to perform in the new season and beyond. That is where our focus is at the moment." The Swiss team consisted of 21 riders this season, all of whom will remain in 2024. In addition, they strengthened themselves with six new names, including Alberto Dainese, Marius Mayrhofer or Matteo Trentin.

With a number of fast men already on board, the team seems to have set itself to gain as many points as possible in the hunt for a WorldTour license. The current cycle ends at the end of 2025. Tudor is currently 25th in the UCI Team Ranking, where the top 18 normally receive a WorldTour license after 2025. Tudor (2488 points) is currently almost six thousand points behind number eighteen, the French Arkéa Samsic (8439). With sprinters it is always the fastest way to collect points in one-day races.

However, Tudor Pro Cycling does not say 'no' in advance to a WorldTour license that has become available. But they estimate the chance that will happen is extremely small. "Our goal to grow into a sustainable top team – which ultimately leads to the WorldTour – remains unchanged. We are committed to our long-term plan to achieve that status. Should the license become available, we would have to discuss internally whether that possible step is consistent with Tudor's core values and vision, which are about organic and long-term growth."