Winners and strugglers in the Tour de France: Concerns about Picnic-PostNL WorldTour relegation decrease due to Oscar Onley's points accumulation
The UCI's promotion/relegation system for WorldTour teams, established in 2019, has significant implications for the top-tier cycling teams. This system determines which teams receive WorldTour licenses based on their ranking over a three-year period, with only the top 18 teams allowed to hold WorldTour licenses and participate in races like the Tour de France.
The Importance of the Tour de France
The Tour de France in 2025 held particular importance as it represented the most lucrative event of the year in terms of UCI points needed for WorldTour eligibility. Teams near the relegation zone fiercely competed to secure points to avoid dropping out of the top 18.
Team Performance at the Tour de France
Uno-X Mobility, a Norwegian team, won a stage at the Tour de France and gained 1,315 UCI points, reducing their deficit to Cofidis to 299 points. Oscar Onley, riding for Picnic-PostNL, had 11 top-15 stage finishes and fourth place overall, earning his team 1,990 UCI points and €124,430 in prizes. EF Education-EasyPost had a better-than-expected Tour, with Ben Healy landing in the top 10 overall and winning one stage and coming second on another.
On the other hand, teams like The Movistar Team and Groupama-FDJ had less successful tours. The Movistar Team had no stage wins, no days in a jersey classification, and Einer Rubio as their best finisher in 31st. Groupama-FDJ had an anonymous tour, with Guillaume Martin only 16th on the prize total list.
The Race for WorldTour Licenses
If Arkéa-B&B Hotels survive as a team, they are almost certain to be relegated from the WorldTour. They are behind ProTeams Uno-X Mobility, Israel-Premier Tech, and Tudor Pro Cycling in the race for automatic invitations to WorldTour races, including the Tour de France.
Lotto and Intermarché-Wanty have announced their intention to merge at the end of the season, potentially opening up a spot on the WorldTour for Cofidis and Arkéa-B&B Hotels. However, Arkéa-B&B Hotels are without a title sponsor for next year and are trying to strike a new deal to keep the team afloat.
The Controversy Surrounding the System
The UCI's promotion/relegation system has been controversial. Some riders and commentators argue it increases race risks by forcing lower-ranked teams to aggressively chase points to avoid relegation, which can cause a more chaotic peloton dynamic.
The Future of WorldTour Teams
The UCI's promotion/relegation system emphasizes consistent performance but has been criticized for safety concerns due to increased competitiveness at the bottom of rankings. As the 2025 Tour de France comes to a close, teams will be evaluating their performance and strategizing for the future to secure their place in the WorldTour.
[1] UCI Regulations: https://www.uci.org/mm/Document/UCI/Racing/Regulations/2022/12/22/UCI-Regulations-WorldTour-2023-2025-EN-Version-1-0-v1/313423/UCI-Regulations-WorldTour-2023-2025-EN-Version-1-0-v1.pdf [5] The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/jul/23/uran-wins-tour-de-france-as-peloton-faces-chaotic-finish-after-crash
Sports play a crucial role in the UCI's promotion/relegation system, as top-tier cycling teams strive to secure points in races like the Tour de France to maintain their WorldTour licenses.
Consistently performing well in these sports events, such as the Tour de France, can help teams avoid relegation and secure their place in the WorldTour. For instance, Uno-X Mobility and Oscar Onley's impressive performances during the Tour de France significantly boosted their UCI points and strengthened their standing against relegation.
