The battle for the World Tour positions for the 2023-2025 seasons started way back in January of 2020. A lot has happened since, but 2022 specially has been marked by a battle between some teams over their maintenance at World Tour level. The war has ended.
Lotto Soudal and Israel - Premier Tech are confirmed to be relegating to Pro Team level. The most recent update from Raúl Banqueri not only shows an increase in the gap between Lotto Soudal and 18th place team Arkéa Samsic, but the remaining road calendar this season just does not provide enough points for a recovery to be possible. The Belgian team, and Israel - Premier Tech who sit even further down the charts, will not be World Tour teams in 2023.
The Belgian team however will not suffer heavily, as their strong 2022 season has earned them wildcards for all World Tour events, and they can choose where to race in the top ranks. TotalEnergies will also have that privilege after an equally strong season. Israel - Premier Tech will have automatic wildcards for all World Tour one-day races, however not for the stage-races and Grand Tours where it will have to battle with rival teams.
This will also see the promotion of Alpecin-Deceuninck and Arkéa Samsic to World Tour level after three seasons riding at the highest level, and has been seen, at a superior level to some that have had a higher position in the structure. This coming week will see the Tour de Langkawi, aswell as a few one-day races over Europe and Asia, but the standings have largely been sealed already.
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