'We found out on social media' - British team Lifeplus-Wahoo on their Tour de France Femmes invite snub
There will be no British squads at the race for the first time in its history
The manager of Continental women's team Lifeplus-Wahoo has said it's a "shame" there will be no British squads at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift this year, after his team did not receive an invite.
Lifeplus-Wahoo were present at both the inaugural race in 2022 and last year's edition, but were missed off organiser ASO's invite list for this August.
"We found out on social media," team boss Tom Varney told Cycling Weekly. "I was actually making dinner for the kids when one of our DS's emailed me a screenshot, and said, '[It] looks like there’s no Tour for us then.'
"One of our title sponsors also messaged me within a few minutes of that, and I had to manage that situation. It's a shame, and we don't necessarily know why at the moment. I think it's fair to say, performance wise, we've not been where we want to be this year, so I imagine that may be the main issue, but I feel like the last two years, we also made a good impression there."
In 2022, the team took the white jersey for best young rider on the opening day, and finished second in the classification last year with then 20-year-old Kiwi rider Ella Wyllie.
This year's Tour de France Femmes will count all fifteen of the women's WorldTour teams, as well as last year's two top-ranked Continental teams: Cofidis and Tashkent City. For the remaining five slots, ASO decided to invite French teams Arkéa-B&B Hotels and St Michel-Mavic-Auber93, as well as Lotto Dstny, Laboral Kutxa-Fundación Euskadi and the newly reformed EF Education-Cannondale.
💛 From Rotterdam to the Alpe d’Huez, here are the 22 teams that will take part of the #TDFF2024 avec @GoZwift!🗓 August, 12th! You don’t want to miss it!💛 De Rotterdam à l’Alpe d’Huez, retrouvez les 22 équipes qui prendront le départ du #TDFF2024 avec @GoZwift !🗓 Le… pic.twitter.com/69d1erCaZmApril 24, 2024
As a result, there will be no British team at the race for the first time in its short, three-year history.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"I think that's definitely a shame," said Varney. "Of course, it was never guaranteed for us to be there. We've always had a plan A and a plan B, but it's been a little bit of a blow.
"It's the biggest race in the world. Everyone knows what the Tour de France is, everyone recognises the yellow jersey. I think in the last few years, we've made a good showing of ourselves. We've been there and we've been on the podium with the white jersey."
The Lifeplus-Wahoo boss added that he received an email from ASO on Thursday morning, following the social media announcement, to confirm the team was unsuccessful in gaining an invite to the race.
"Of course, we already knew," he said. "I've asked for some feedback. Whether we'll get it or not, I'm not sure, but let's see if they come back."
Cycling Weekly has contacted ASO for more details about the invite selection process.
The eight-stage race will begin on 12 August, the day after the Paris Olympics, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Tom joined Cycling Weekly as a news and features writer in the summer of 2022, having previously contributed as a freelancer. He is the host of The TT Podcast, which covers both the men's and women's pelotons and has featured a number of prominent British riders.
An enthusiastic cyclist himself, Tom likes it most when the road goes uphill and actively seeks out double-figure gradients on his rides.
-
I can’t even remember the price of my latest bike — the trauma is too deep
Dream bikes are best left locked up in fantasy land, argues CW's columnist
By Michael Hutchinson Published
-
Buying a saddle online without a fit is a risky move — here's how to find the best perch for you
Getting your saddle right makes all the difference, we spoke to an expert to help guide you in the process
By Rob Kemp Published
-
Milan-San Remo addition will 'raise the level even higher' in women’s cycling, says Kasia Niewiadoma
'It's really motivating to see that in just one season, everything can change' says Tour de France Femmes winner as she reflects on a year of success on the road
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
A new era emerges: meet the rising talent that stole the show at the Tour de France Femmes
A familiar face may have won the race, but rising stars shone brightest. Here are the names you'll want to remember in the seasons ahead.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
'I lost the faith that I could still do it' - Kasia Niewiadoma conquers the ‘Mountain of Emotions’ for Tour de France Triumph
"I've gone through such a terrible time on this climb. I hated everything," shares the yellow jersey victor.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Niewiadoma claims 2024 Tour de France Femmes yellow jersey in nail-biting battle with Vollering on Alpe d'Huez
Vollering wins the stage, but comes up just short to win the race overall. Rooijakkers second, Muzic third.
By Dan Challis Published
-
'1:15 isn't much' - SD Worx confident in Demi Vollering for grand finale on Alpe d'Huez
Eyes turn to Alpe d’Huez showdown as GC battle stalls on Le Grand-Bornand
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Polka Dot jersey Justine Ghekiere conquers Tour de France Femmes stage 7 as Niewiadoma holds onto yellow
Belgian victorious from breakaway, Vollering and Niewiadoma in stalemate in first Alpine battle
By Dan Challis Published
-
Who's won the 2024 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift?
The full general classification, along with the latest stage result, and the standings for the other jerseys
By Cycling Weekly Published
-