MEN’S WORLDTEAMS
AG2R CITROEN
FRANCE
Riders: 29
Under 26: 12
Over 35: 3
Key stat: 19 of the team’s 29-man roster are French
Few teams were quieter in the transfer market than AG2R, which is something of a surprise as the French squad is badly in need of rejuvenation after another mediocre season in 2022. The sole arrival of breakaway specialist Frank Bonnamour and a handful of promoted neo-pros are unlikely to make the team any less dependent on Ben O’Connor, who will be under pressure to deliver a high placing at the Tour. Although still spearheaded by 37-year-old Greg van Avermaet and past-his-best Oliver Naesen in the Classics, Benoît Cosnefroy looks to have entered his prime and should challenge for some major Classics.
ALPECIN-DECEUNINCK
BELGIUM
Riders: 30
Under 26: 8
Over 35: 0
Key stat: The team’s total of 34 wins in 2022 was higher than all but five of the WorldTour teams
As well as nicking Quick Step’s old sponsor Deceuninck, Alpecin are also striving to dethrone their Belgian compatriots as the best in both the Classics and the sprints, as they look towards their long-awaited first season in the WorldTour. Søren Kragh Andersen arrives to take some pressure off star man Mathieu van der Poel in the Classics, while Quinten Hermans gives them a strong option new in the hilly Classics; and though Quick Step have snatched Tim Merlier from them, Jasper Philipsen and new signing Kaden Groves should ensure many sprint wins.
ARKÉA-SAMSIC
FRANCE Riders: 30
Under 26: 15
Over 35: 2
Key stat: Just one of the team’s 12 wins in 2022 came at a WorldTour race
No team understood better how to game the UCI points system during the 2022, and their cleverness has earned them a promotion to the WorldTour. Yet their squad doesn’t appear up to this level, especially now that their one truly elite rider, Nairo Quintana, has been ushered out in the aftermath of his positive test for tramadol. With no signings of equivalent quality to the Colombian, their best riders are now Warren Barguil, who these days mostly follows wheels for solid results rather than thrills with swashbuckling attacks, and a handful of sprinters who often make the top 10 of races but rarely win.
ASTANA QAZAQSTAN
KAZAKHSTAN
Riders: 30
Under 26: 11
Over 35: 4
Key stat: Cavendish’s total of five wins in 2022 was as many as the whole Astana squad managed
Last month Astana announced the signing of Mark Cavendish, cycling’s worst-kept secret. While we can’t imagine Cav taking part in the team’s cringey team raps, it’s a mutually beneficial deal: they give him guaranteed selection and leadership for the Tour as he pursues a record-breaking 35th stage win, he gives them someone to rally around in an otherwise weak squad further depleted by the retirement of Vincenzo Nibali and the sacking of Miguel Ángel López for a doping offence. With little quality beyond Alexey Lutsenko and an out-of-sorts Gianni Moscon, they can ill afford the 37-year-old’s form to dip.
BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS
BAHRAIN
Riders: 28
Under 26: 13
Over 35: 5
Key stat: The team have had six GC podium finishes at Grand Tours, but never won one
Of the WorldTour teams bankrolled by oil-rich
