The low season is over and the 2025 marketing campaign is upon us. Who will punch above their weight? Who will battle for outcomes? And who will even be within the WorldTour in 2026?
Certainly, relegation is among the themes of the season, as we enter the ultimate section of the three-year rolling rating that can determine the attribution of males’s WorldTour licences from 2026-2028.
Elsewhere, now we have the battle for superiority on the very high of the UCI World Rating, with Visma-Lease a Bike out for revenge after UAE Crew Emirates’ – and specifically Tadej Pogačar‘s – unimaginable 2024 season.
Now we have groups like Lidl-Trek and Pink Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe seeking to break into the super-team occasion, and now we have the outdated dominators, Ineos Grenadiers, in a state of turmoil. In between, now we have a big mid-pack scrapping for each victory and podium they will get their arms on.
Right here, Cyclingnews takes a more in-depth take a look at all 18 males’s WorldTour groups, selecting out their key riders and their overarching ambitions for the season forward.
- UCI World Rating 2024: 8
- Key riders: Mathieu van der Poel, Jasper Philipsen
- Rider to look at: Quentin Hermans
Alpecin-Deceuninck’s win tally of 26 in 2024 was their lowest for the reason that COVID pandemic struck, however the place they dropped off barely in uncooked numbers they greater than made up for by way of high quality: Milan-San Remo (Jasper Philipsen), the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix double (Mathieu van der Poel) and three Tour de France levels (Philipsen).
If there’s one query mark it’s why Van der Poel’s success was so restricted to 1 three-week interval within the Spring, however then you definately bear in mind these exploits within the rainbow jersey and it’s sufficient to hold a profession on, by no means thoughts a season. These two had been the 2 key pillars for the Roodhooft brothers’ group in 2024, and it seems certain to remain that approach in 2025.
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With little to write down dwelling about within the switch market, the 2 huge items of enterprise have been to increase each Van der Poel’s and Philipsen’s contracts – amid competitors for the latter. Classics and Sprints are the main target, then, with no nice prospects within the stage racing division, however that may wait – the rise of this group thus far over the previous half-decade has been nothing wanting exceptional.
- UCI World Rating 2024: 19
- Key riders: Arnaud Démare, Luca Mozzato
- Rider to look at: Kevin Vauquelin
The French group face a demanding season, with a relegation battle that begins from day one – to not point out the sponsorship search. They managed to realize a ticket to biking’s high tier on the expense of some huge squads in 2023 however two years into the three-year rating that can decide the 18 WorldTour licences from 2026, they sit nineteenth. The group struggled for wins in 2024 however the rise of Kevin Vauquelin, who received a stage of the Tour de France, was a significant enhance.
Now’s the time to get one of the best out of the 23-year-old Frenchman earlier than he strikes on. Arnaud Démare had a tough first full season with the squad in 2024 however the French sprinter stays their biggest-name, highest-paid rider, who shoulders a great deal of the duty in 2025.
The group’s largest points-scorer final season was the truth is Luca Mozzato, who pulled off a surprising runner-up end on the Tour of Flanders. If he can function on that stage extra typically, if Démare can get again to successful huge races, and if Vauquelin can take one other step ahead, then they may simply stand an opportunity of staying up.
- UCI World Rating 2024: 17
- Key riders: Antonio Tiberi, Santiago Buitrago, Matteo Mohorič, Pello Bilbao
- One to look at: Lenny Martinez
Bahrain Victorious head into 2025 on the again of a reasonably lifeless season. They registered 13 wins however languished in seventeenth within the UCI group rankings, having garnered 50% fewer factors than they did in 2023, and much lower than once they had been flying in 2021.
The brightest spark was Antonio Tiberi, the Italian who Bahrain picked up when nobody needed him after his killing of a cat. In return for the controversy, they bought a rider who has all of a sudden sprouted right into a stage racing drive, putting fifth on the Giro d’Italia, in addition to successful the Tour of Luxembourg. He seems like somebody they will construct behind in 2025.
The identical goes for Santiago Buitrago, who continues to develop as a GC rider, with a top-10 now to his identify within the Tour de France. In the meantime, Matej Mohorič and Pello Bilbao didn’t have classic seasons in 2024 however are two focal factors who’re sensational on their day.
Becoming a member of them on the high desk is new signing Lenny Martinez from Groupama-FDJ. Many of the new faces are promotions from the group’s affiliated growth squad, however the pocket rocket is an electrical climber who can actually win huge races in 2025. There’s greater than sufficient to elevate them out of final yr’s hunch.
- UCI World Rating 2024: 20
- Key riders: Dylan Teuns, Ion Izaguirre
- One to look at: Emanuel Buchmann
Cofidis are one other of the groups combating relegation in 2025. They did OK in 2023 however had been solely the Twentieth-best group on the planet in 2024, which leaves them hovering dangerously in 18th place within the three-year rating, simply above the crimson line.
Dropping their high 2024 factors scorer, Axel Zingle, who’s off to Visma, won’t assist issues. Neither will dropping their conventional stage race chief, Guillaume Martin, who has chipped in with Grand Tour high 10s of their colors. Nonetheless, their record of signings does give trigger for optimism. Dylan Teuns arrives from Bahrain Victorious (a group the place likewise he was snapped as much as rating factors) so as to add some top-level high quality to the roster.
Emanuel Buchmann fell out of favour at Bora however has completed fourth on the Tour de France, whereas Simon Carr is an intriguing expertise who can win huge from breakaways. Bryan Coquard will lead the sprints having claimed his first WorldTour win final yr, whereas Ion Izaguirre nonetheless seems recent at 35 after putting fourth at Il Lombardia.
- UCI World Rating 2024: 6
- Key riders: Felix Gall, Benoit Cosnefroy, Sam Bennett
- One to look at: Paul Seixas
Can Decathlon stick with it, or will they endure the tough second album syndrome? The French group have been round for many years, however after a number of seasons of mid-table mediocrity, they had been reborn in 2024 as sports activities retailing large Decathlon got here on board as sponsor.
There have been no main new signings and so the reasonably priced Van Rysel bikes had been credited with a exceptional upturn in outcomes; Decathlon ended the yr sixth within the UCI group rankings, rising their 2023 UCI factors haul by 50%. And now for the issue. 1 / 4 of their factors had been scored by Ben O’Connor, who’s transferring to Jayco-AlUla. Have they lined up a substitute? No. Paul Seixas and Johannes Staune-Mittet are thrilling prospects for the longer term however for 2025 Decathlon lack a top-level stage race rider, and a frontrunner on the whole.
Felix Gall might be referred to as upon to take the reins and does have the climbing high quality on his day, whereas Benôit Cosnefroy confirmed flashes of his outdated potential within the hilly Classics final yr. Decathlon might actually do with once-dominant sprinter Sam Bennett getting his profession again on monitor, whereas the remainder might be left to Frenchmen Aurelien Paret-Peintre and Paul Lapeira.
- UCI World Rating 2024: 12
- Key riders: Richard Carapaz, Neilson Powless
- One to look at: Darren Rafferty
EF Schooling-EasyPost have misplaced a talisman heading into 2025, with Rigoberto Urán, the person who successfully saved the group after his 2017 Tour de France podium, heading into retirement. That mentioned, the Colombian wasn’t contributing a lot in the way in which of outcomes up to now few years.
The larger loss is that of Alberto Bettiol, the high-class Italian puncheur, however in comes Kasper Asgreen, a former winner of the Tour of Flanders. The Dane has laboured up to now couple of years, with no scarcity of damage problems, however soared within the Classics in his pomp, and remains to be solely 29. Can EF unlock that outdated magic? On a one-year punt, it’s precisely the form of deal that supervisor Jonathan Vaughters has constructed his group on lately.
One break from that custom was to signal confirmed Grand Tour podium contender Richard Carapaz a few years in the past, and whereas that didn’t bear fruit initially, the Ecuadorian received a stage of the Tour final yr and positioned fourth on the Vuelta. Hopes might be excessive they will kick on and money in in 2025.
Past Carapaz, Neilson Powless is the group’s excellent rider, most suited to hilly Classics and breakaways, however there’s loads of high quality from the likes of Ben Healy and Hugh Carthy. And if it doesn’t go nicely on the highway, they all the time have Lachlan Morton flying the flag and maximising publicity in gravel and no matter loopy journey’s subsequent up his sleeve.
- UCI World Rating 2024: 10
- Key riders: Stefan Kung, David Gaudu
- One to look at: Romain Gregoire
The long-running French group have misplaced two of their most enjoyable riders as they head into the 2025 season, with Classics revelation Laurence Pithie transferring to Pink Bull and younger French pocket climber Lenny Martinez off to Bahrain – that one, specifically, will sting for the French group.
Nonetheless, they will take coronary heart from the truth that neither Martinez nor Pithie had been of their high 4 UCI factors scorers in 2024. High of that record was Stefan Küng, a star time triallist who has additionally been knocking on the door of a giant Classics victory. Valentin Madouas is one other sturdy Classics rider, as is Romain Gregoire, a younger expertise notably suited to the Ardennes.
The opposite of these huge 4 points-scorers was David Gaudu, whose struggles appeared to be deepening all through the 2024 season till he popped up with sixth on the Vuelta. Time trialling stays a significant Achilles heel for the group’s stage race chief however that was at the least one thing to construct on. The brand new signings aren’t overly inspiring although Guillaume Martin’s transfer from French rivals Cofidis does catch the attention – the Frenchman is commonly ridiculed for his yo-yoing racing model however does assault and does sometimes scratch the highest 10s in huge races.
- UCI World Rating 2024: 7
- Key riders: Carlos Rodriguez, Geraint Thomas, Josh Tarling
- One to look at: Artem Schmidt
Ineos Grenadiers head into the 2025 season with huge query marks hanging over them, after a season during which not solely fell wanting expectations however noticed the wheels begin to fall off the entire operation. The British group, as soon as the dominant drive in professional biking, might solely handle seventh within the group rankings, their tally of 14 victories the bottom of their historical past.
The paucity of massive wins got here with a rolling snowball of detrimental headlines, from the MIA Steve Cummings to the controversy surrounding the de-selection of Tom Pidcock at Il Lombardia and the British star’s subsequent choice to terminate his contract and transfer groups. Ineos removed Rod Ellingworth forward of 2024 and seemed to place a brand new administration construction in place, however with Dave Brailsford busy at Manchester United alongside group proprietor Jim Ratcliffe, the group look as listless as ever.
With Ineos dropping Pidcock in addition to their second-highest level scorer, Jhonatan Narvaez and stalwart Luke Rowe, it is exhausting to see them upping the ante with the riders they’ve introduced in. Carlos Rodríguez is the group’s stage race chief, whereas 38-year-old Geraint Thomas stays evergreen, however neither is a giant favorite for a Grand Tour title.
If Egan Bernal, although, can proceed to inch again in direction of his greatest, that may very well be a very thrilling prospect. Filippo Ganna and Josh Tarling are two of the perfect time triallists on the planet, with the latter a possible Classics contender alongside Magnus Sheffield, whereas Axel Laurance has been added for punchy sprints. Nevertheless it’s exhausting to see Ineos making good on their intentions to problem UAE and Visma in 2025.
- UCI World Rating 2024: 15
- Key riders: Biniam Girmay
- One to look at: Hugo Web page
The Belgian squad nonetheless have work to do to take care of their WorldTour standing, however they’ve established themselves as worthy members of the game’s high tier, which didn’t look so evident when the group purchased into the WorldTour three years in the past.
They’ve an enormous star of their ranks in Biniam Girmay, and the group as an entire seems to be being managed with higher care, tradition and innovation than appeared to be the case only some years in the past. Nonetheless, they want each ounce of that, given their roster is among the many weakest within the WorldTour, they usually have not accomplished a lot strengthening forward of 2025.
Gerben Thijssen can combine with the world’s greatest sprinters, whereas there are alternatives for the smaller races, however the star of the present is much and away the Eritrean trailblazer Girmay. Earlier feats comparable to his Gent-Wevelgem victory and Giro d’Italia stage felt like huge moments, and so did his first Tour de France stage win final yr in equity. However the way in which he kicked on to 2 extra levels plus the inexperienced jersey final summer season suggests a person actually settling into his stride now.
- UCI World Rating 2024: 14
- Key riders: Ben O’Connor, Caleb Ewan, Dylan Groenewegen
- One to look at: Anders Foldager
There’s one thing of a altering of the guard because the Australian group wave goodbye to their long-time chief Simon Yates, who seems to have agreed to a super-domestique function at Visma. There’s lots of historical past between rider and group and it’ll have been an emotional goodbye.
In steps one other Grand Tour chief in Ben O’Connor, a house Aussie rider who has had some nice years at AG2R. After putting fourth on the 2021 Tour de France, he led the Vuelta final yr for a very long time earlier than putting runner-up. He may need steadily shipped the lead he constructed up in a breakaway, however the remainder of O’Connor’s 2024 outcomes sheet confirms he is one of many high stage racers on the planet, and Jayco ought to see some good returns.
The remainder of the signings are nowhere close to as excessive profile, so it is over to the prevailing huge names to ship, not least the sprinting duo of Caleb Ewan and Dylan Groenewegen. The duo struck eight instances between them final yr, and realistically that should considerably improve if the group are to elevate themselves up the rankings – relegation isn’t precisely looming however we’ve seen earlier than how one poor season can see a giant group sucked in.
- UCI World Rating 2024: 4
- Key riders: Mads Pedersen, Jonathan Milan, Mattias Skjelmose, Tao Geoghegan Hart
- One to look at: Thibau Nys
It’s been 18 months since grocery store large Lidl got here on board to take the Italo-US group to new heights, they usually’ve actually made progress, with extra anticipated in 2025. Lennard Kamna is a powerful signing for the right here and now, and Albert Philipsen is one for the longer term, however the group have been quieter within the switch market this time round, with a big chunk of their 2025 squad intact.
Which means the burly Jonathan Milan successful a number of the largest sprints with one of many strongest lead-out trains. It means Mattias Skjelmose persevering with to get higher and higher stage race outcomes. It means Mads Pedersen taking the struggle to the highest two Classics riders and successful loads of races moreover. And it means Thibau Nys, one of many brightest abilities, taking one other step ahead after his storming debut in 2024.
Whenever you add in Giulio Ciccone and Tao Geoghegan Hart, each of whom had disrupted seasons however may be proper up there in Grand Excursions, you have got an thrilling group combating on all fronts. Lidl brightened up the jersey they usually’ve accomplished the identical to all the spirit of the squad, who might be out to cement themselves among the many world’s super-teams.
- UCI World Rating 2024: 13
- Key riders: Enric Mas
- One to look at: Pablo Castrillo
Having flirted with relegation within the earlier cycle, Movistar have extra room for consolation this day trip, however of their post-Valverde world, they’ve slumped right into a slightly uninspiring state of affairs.
Enric Mas stays the group’s figurehead and contributed with one other Vuelta podium, and a number of other extra main high 10s moreover, however past the Spaniard issues are very skinny on the bottom for a group of Movistar’s stature and historical past. The subsequent man who earned them a good serving to of factors, Alex Aranburu, is off to Cofidis subsequent yr. However there may be, in equity, an thrilling new face by means of the door.
Pablo Castrillo was one of many revelations of final yr’s Vuelta, successful two levels within the colors of Kern Pharma, and Movistar noticed off some feisty competitors for his signature. In a group that is ever-keen to accommodate the most important Spanish names, he slots straight into a number one function.
In the meantime, Einero Rubio continues to impress, even ending seventh on the Giro d’Italia which suggests he might develop in three-week solidity. Movistar ought to keep away from relegation once more however past Mas and a few others, there’s little to actually get enthusiastic about.
- UCI World Rating 2024: 16
- Key riders: Romain Bardet, Fabio Jakobsen
- Ones to look at: Max Poole, Oscar Onley
A brand new identify for Iwan Spekenbrink’s Dutch group, who’re one of many groups who’ll have the specter of relegation lurking over their shoulder in 2025. They’ve not had an important couple of years, but it surely looks like there’s extra potential on this squad. They’ve chief Romain Bardet for less than half a season longer, so the remainder of the riders might want to step up.
The obvious division is sprinting, the place Fabio Jakobsen was the high-profile signing 12 months in the past however endured a torrid debut season with the group. He was nearly outmoded within the pecking order by Tobias Lund Andersen, and it will be fascinating to see how rather more progress the Dane could make in 2025, and the way administration juggles issues.
They’ve a behavior of sharing issues round however will that trigger confusion and friction? Elsewhere, essentially the most thrilling riders are the British duo of Max Poole and Oscar Onley. Each had been held again by damage in 2024 however have the potential to do huge issues in stage racing in 2025.
- UCI World Rating 2024: 5
- Key riders: Primož Roglič, Jai Hindley, Dani Martínez
- Ones to look at: Laurence Pithie, Oier Lazkano, Giulio Pellizzari
The expansion of the German group continues. After a strong first season below Pink Bull branding in 2024, greater and higher issues are being eyed up in 2025. Primož Roglič arrived final yr and received them a Grand Tour on the Vuelta, however they will need extra, throughout the board.
In comes the revelation of the 2024 Classics, Laurence Pithie, alongside the revelation of the 2023 Classics, Oier Lazkano, to not point out Omloop winner Jan Tratnik – a Slovenian ally of Roglic’s. Pink Bull had been first to the signature of the thrilling Italian climber Giulio Pellizzari, whereas Finn Fisher-Black may very well be a shrewd signing from rivals UAE.
They’re dropping Lennard Kämna – able to huge issues – and Sergio Higuita amongst others but it surely seems like a good refresh, particularly for the cobbled Classics. Elsewhere, Roglic leads the Grand Tour line however Jai Hindley, Dani Martínez, and Aleksandr Vlasov are all succesful leaders in their very own proper, whereas Sam Welsford can win the most important sprints on his day. 2025 may not be the yr when Pink Bull actually challenges UAE and Visma, but it surely might signify one step nearer.
- UCI World Rating 2024: 3
- Key riders: Remco Evenepoel, Tim Merlier
- One to look at: Ethan Hayter
It is a new period for the long-running Belgian group, who’ve been shepherded by Patrick Lefevere since 2003 however should now discover their approach with out the inimitable Belgian boss. Lefevere was one thing of a throwback, a divisive determine who did issues on his phrases and all the time pointed to his monitor report of outcomes when anyone kicked up a fuss. With out showering him with reward or criticism right here, it is honest to name Lefevere a towering determine within the sport and it is exhausting to see how the tradition of this group does not shift or dilute in his absence.
The substitute, Julien Foré, is extra of a businessman than a biking man, so we’re more likely to see extra of a break up between the brand new CEO working the corporate and one other determine stepping up into extra of a number one sports activities administration function – slightly than Lefevere doing each.
On the highway, Remco Evenepoel remains to be hanging round and he represents the beating coronary heart. The 24-year-old was already a Grand Tour winner and now has a Tour de France podium on debut to his identify, to not point out his unimaginable Olympic double. The group have mentioned goodbye to two-time world champ Julian Alaphilippe, in addition to former Tour of Flanders winner Kasper Asgreen. Whereas the previous had dried up by way of outcomes, the latter represents a recent blow to the group’s Classics credentials.
As soon as the kings of the Spring, QuickStep have turn into more and more Evenepoel-centric and have been diminished to bit-part gamers within the main one-dayers. Max Schachmann returns to the group, and Ethan Hayter arrives – each will assist in that division however have query marks surrounding their means to ship on their potential.
The group does nonetheless have one of many world’s high sprinters in Tim Merlier, so whereas Luke Lamperti and Paul Magnier are coming by means of, it seems prefer it’s on Merlier and Evenepoel to guide the road. The times of insanely excessive Lefevere win counts already appear to be fading…
- UCI World Rating 2024: 1
- Key riders: Tadej Pogačar, Adam Yates, Juan Ayuso, João Almeida
- One to look at: Isaac del Toro
If Tadej Pogačar was a group, he’d have completed eleventh within the UCI rankings in 2024. There are numerous methods to attempt to put the Slovenian’s season into perspective however with 25 victories, together with the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France, and World Championships highway race, it was one of many biggest campaigns of all time. It is a rider who suffered for 2 Excursions in a row however is now trying like he might beat anybody on one leg.
2025, then, might be about seeing whether or not he can proceed to stretch his palmarès to much more extraordinary proportions. The worrying factor for the opposite groups is that UAE aren’t a one-man group anymore. There are such a lot of top-level riders it might take too lengthy to say all of them, however Adam Yates simply will get higher and higher, João Almeida stays strong, Brandon McNulty looks like he nonetheless has extra to present, and Juan Ayuso faces a giant yr as he seems to claim his standing within the pecking order.
In the meantime, the group’s funding in youth is paying off, with large pleasure surrounding Isaac del Toro after his eye-catching neo-pro marketing campaign. It is one thing of a carousel already, with the group welcoming 18-year-old Pablo Torres on a contract that runs by means of 2030 – an indication that this group intends to proceed to dominate this sport for a few years to come back.
- UCI World Rating 2024: 2
- Key riders: Jonas Vingegaard, Wout van Aert, Matteo Jorgenson
- One to look at: Thomas Gloag
From all three Grand Excursions in 2023 to zero Grand Excursions, 2024 was the yr during which Visma-Lease a Bike got here again to earth, albeit with a delicate touchdown slightly than a thud. Jonas Vingegaard was roundly overwhelmed on the Tour de France by Tadej Pogačar. The Dane received each different stage race he completed however his season was marred by severe accidents sustained within the Spring at Itzulia Basque Nation.
The group’s different star man, Wout van Aert, suffered a Spring crash of his personal that took him out of Flanders and Roubaix – but extra heartbreak for the Belgian. These accidents left the group trying slightly skinny, they usually could nicely have regretted the choice to permit Primož Roglič to depart final yr. Both approach, Vingegaard and Van Aert stay the 2 figureheads of this group, and if each can keep injury-free then they will ship the group again to dizzier heights. Simon Yates has been snapped up as a luxurious domestique, so Visma will nonetheless have an unimaginable Grand Tour first eight, and with Van Aert flanked by Matteo Jorgensen, Christophe Laporte, and Dylan van Baarle, they’ve the strongest Classics collective on the planet.
Jorgensen particularly was a revelation final yr, and never simply within the Classics, so it is going to be fascinating to see what heights he can attain this yr, and which route he takes his profession. In the meantime, Cian Uijdtebroeks was snapped up amid a lot controversy this time final yr however had a debut season to overlook amid claims of persistent accidents – if he can come good on his promise he’ll really feel like a top-level new signing himself. Visma could have misplaced their perch because the world’s high group, however they nonetheless have the standard and depth to get it again.
- UCI World Rating 2024: 21
- Key riders: Alberto Bettiol, Sergio Higuita, Diego Ulissi
- One to look at: Clément Champouissin
Final on the record, and positively not least, the Astana group are arguably essentially the most fascinating prospect on the altering of the seasons. There is a new title sponsor, with these three letters representing a big funding from China. Rumours of a correct Chinese language plunge into the WorldTour have circled for years and this seems to be the primary main step.
Likewise, query marks have swirled over Chinese language carbon however XDS’ bikes will mark a debut within the WorldTour for Chinese language bike manufacturing. It stays to be seen fairly how formidable the brand new sponsors are, however this actually represents an enlargement past the group’s Kazakhstani essence. And boy how they wanted it; Astana have nearly sleepwalked right into a relegation battle. They at the moment lie Twentieth within the three-year rating and want a giant shift in momentum for XDS to nonetheless say they sponsor a WorldTour group in 2026. The ‘ins’ record on their switch sheet actually seems like that of a group in panic mode, and with a bit additional cash to spend than in earlier years.
Alberto Bettiol is a high-calibre rider and instantly turns into their linchpin in 2025, particularly with the departure of Alexey Lutsenko, which itself marks a significant turning level in his standing as the house star of the Kazakhstani venture. Wout Poels and Diego Ulissi are of their late 30s however the former remains to be an aesthetic operator and the latter nonetheless a factors magnet in smaller races, whereas Colombian climber Sergio Higuita is able to being up there within the largest races on his day. There is no Mark Cavendish, however this looks like a group that languidly wasn’t trying far past his Tour de France report pursuit and has now all of a sudden woken up.