ASO also announces invites for Paris-Nice and Critérium du Dauphiné
Tour de France organisers ASO have named the four teams that will be given wildcards to this year’s race, confirming that French teams Bretagne – Séché Environnement and Cofidis, the Swiss team IAM Cycling and German squad NetApp Endura will be part of the lineup this July.
Those four teams will join the eighteen WorldTour squads in the event, which begins in Leeds on July 5th.
Cofidis was also handed a wildcard in 2012, while Bretagne – Séché Environnement, IAM Cycling and NetApp Endura will all make their debuts in the race.
IAM Cycling had set riding the Tour as one of its big goals for the season, and had been tipped to get a place due to the increase in standard of its roster this season plus the signing of French riders such as Sylvain Chavanel and past Giro d’Italia stage winner Jérôme Pineau.
NetApp Endura put aside the chance to try for a wildcard in the Giro d’Italia in order to focus completely on gaining selection for the Tour.
In addition to the wildcards for the July event, ASO has also confirmed the teams that will ride Paris – Nice (March 9–16) and the Critérium du Dauphiné (June 8–15).
Bretagne – Séché Environnement, Cofidis and IAM Cycling have gained admission to the earlier race, while Cofidis, IAM Cycling and NetApp Endura will ride the Critérium du Dauphiné.
WorldTour teams securing automatic invites to Tour de France, Paris-Nice and Critérium du Dauphiné:
AG2R La Mondiale (Fra)
Astana Pro Team (Kaz)
Belkin Pro Cycling Team (Ned)
BMC Racing Team (USA)
Cannondale (Ita)
FDJ.fr (Fra)
Garmin Sharp (USA)
Lampre-Merida (Ita)
Lotto Belisol (Bel)
Movistar Team (Esp)
Omega Pharma – Quick Step Cycling Team (Bel)
Orica – GreenEDGE (Aus)
Team Europcar (Fra)
Team Giant – Shimano (Ned)
Team Katusha (Rus)
Team Sky (Gbr)
Tinkoff Saxo (Rus)
Trek Factory Racing (USA)
Wildcard selections:
Paris – Nice (March 9–16)
Bretagne – Séché Environnement (Fra)
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits (Fra)
IAM Cycling (Sui)
Critérium du Dauphiné (June 8–15).
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits (Fra)
IAM Cycling (Sui)
Team NetApp – Endura (Ger)
Tour de France (July 5 – 27):
Bretagne – Séché Environnement (Fra)
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits (Fra)
IAM Cycling (Sui)
Team NetApp – Endura (Ger)