Cyclists Voice Concerns Over Increased Teams for 2025 Tour de France
As the 2025 Tour de France approaches, Mathieu van der Poel and other cyclists express safety concerns over increasing the team count to 23.
Key Points
- • Mathieu van der Poel criticizes the addition of a 23rd team in the Tour de France, citing safety concerns.
- • Van der Poel suggests limiting the number of riders instead of increasing it.
- • Other cyclists, including Jonas Vingegaard, share similar worries about race dynamics.
- • Van der Poel remains optimistic about his performance in the upcoming Tour.
Mathieu van der Poel, along with other prominent cyclists, has raised serious concerns regarding the decision to expand the number of teams in the 2025 Tour de France to 23. Voicing his discontent at a media event in Lille, van der Poel, a celebrated cyclist known for his prowess in both road and cyclocross events, warns that the inclusion of an additional team will substantially elevate the risk of crashes, thereby jeopardizing the safety of the riders.
"I think enlarging the peloton is a mistake. The first thing to do would be to limit the number of riders," van der Poel stated, emphasizing his belief that the focus should shift towards ensuring safety rather than increasing participation. He highlighted the dangers inherent in having more riders competing for limited space, a sentiment echoed by fellow cyclists including Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel, who share apprehensions regarding the dynamics of a larger peloton during the final stages of the race, particularly in crowded areas like Montmartre.
Adding to this discourse, van der Poel compared the anticipated stress of navigating the revamped route to the crowded conditions that marked the recent Paris Olympics. His critique reflects a broader concern among the cycling community about how a larger group of competitors could affect race strategy and safety during critical race moments.
Despite such concerns, van der Poel remains optimistic about his performance in the upcoming Tour, especially in sprint stages. He looks forward to collaborating closely with teammate Jasper Philipsen. As he gears up for the competition, he expresses enthusiasm for starting the Tour in Lille, feeling a personal connection to the venue. He anticipates a challenging yet exhilarating first week of racing.
The debate surrounding the structure of the Tour de France continues, with van der Poel's voice becoming a crucial part of discussions about safety and race integrity as the event approaches.