Pursuing Speed and Glory: The 22 Participating Teams of the Tour de France

The 22 Participating Teams of the Tour de France

Tour de France is an annual cycling event where professional cyclists race against everyone else. It is held every July in France, including 22 professional cycling teams, 120 cyclists, four rider's assistants, and four sports directors. The total number of participants is about 2,500 people.

Let us carefully review the 22 participating Tour de France 2023 teams.

1. AG2R-Citroën Team
Renowned French cycling team AG2R-Citroën is set to leave an indelible mark on this year's Tour de France. Led by team leader Ben O'Connor and with strong contender Benoît Cosnefroy, they bring a promising lineup to the race.

Established in 1992, AG2R-Citroën showcases the peloton's distinctive brown and blue colors. Under experienced manager Vincent Lavenu, they have achieved notable success in various races. With O'Connor's climbing prowess and Cosnefroy's potential, the team aims to challenge for the yellow jersey.

Expect a formidable mountain presence and significant impact in sprints and hilly stages. Cycling enthusiasts await AG2R-Citroën's strong team effort and potential stage victories. Get ready for excellence at Tour de France 2023.

Photo source: Online

2. Alpecin-Deceuninck
Rising force Alpecin-Deceuninck makes a captivating Tour de France debut, aiming for stage wins. Exceptional leaders Jasper Philipsen and Mathieu van der Poel spearhead the team. Van der Poel, the Flying Dutchman, showcased brilliance with victories at Milan-Sanremo and Paris-Roubaix.
 
After a lighter schedule, he's set to deliver an exceptional performance. A stage win or the yellow jersey would complement his remarkable 2021 achievements. Philipsen, a Belgian sprinter, secures victories and poses a threat in stage battles. 

With uncertainty surrounding van Aert, his aspirations for the green jersey are boosted. Anticipate Alpecin-Deceuninck's captivating Tour de France debut.

Photo source: Online

3. Astana Qazaqstan Team
Astana Qazaqstan's captivating Tour de France journey unfolds with unexpected team leaders Cavendish and Lutsenko. In his final Tour, Cavendish aims for a fairytale ending by surpassing Merckx's stage win record.
 
Meanwhile, Lutsenko seeks to improve his previous finishes in the general classification. As their combined talent takes center stage, Astana Qazaqstan's presence in the peloton promises excitement and anticipation. 

Photo source: Online

4. Bahrain Victorious
Bahrain Victorious embarks on the 2023 Tour de France with a resilient and diverse team, aiming for GC success and stage victories. Led by experienced rider Mikel Landa, they target a top-four finish. With a strong climbing roster, including Pello Bilbao, the team seeks redemption for missed stage wins in 2022.
 
Matej Mohorič's resurgence and Fred Wright's attacking ability add versatility. Amidst sadness for teammate Gino Mäder's loss, Bahrain Victorious is determined to honor his memory through their performances.

Photo source: Online

5. Bora-Hansgrohe,
Bora-Hansgrohe, under the guidance of Jai Hindley, begins an exciting campaign at the 2023 Tour de France. Hindley, the reigning Giro d'Italia champion, sets his sights on the prestigious maillot jaune. Supported by climbers Bob Jungels and Emanuel Buchmann, Bora-Hansgrohe aims for success in the mountains.
 
An upcoming climber announcement bolsters the team's ambitions. With lead-out support from Danny van Poppel, Sprinter Jordi Meeus seeks to deliver Bora-Hansgrohe's long-awaited stage victory.

Photo source: Online

6. Cofidis
Cofidis, a longstanding presence in the race, enters their 27th Tour de France appearance with aspirations of ending their 15-year stage win drought. The French team came close last year, with Benjamin Thomas narrowly caught near the finish line and Simon Geschke losing the King of the Mountains jersey.
 
Guillaume Martin, known for his breakaway expertise and fluctuating general classification performance, is a strong contender for a top-10 finish. While a peripheral GC result would be notable, a stage win holds great value for the team.

With seasoned climbers Simon Geschke, Ion Izaguirre, and Bryan Coquard for the punchier sprints, Cofidis is a formidable force primed for breakaway success and a shot at redemption after last year's setbacks.

Photo source: Online

7. EF Education-EasyPost
EF Education-EasyPost enters the Tour de France with the experienced Richard Carapaz as their team leader, bringing his Olympic Champion status and Grand Tour pedigree. While Carapaz has shown his ability to contend with the best, his form in 2023 could have been better. Nonetheless, he will wear the Ecuadorian national champion's jersey to regain his winning form from the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España.
 
The team aims to support Carapaz in the general classification while seeking stage wins and breakaway opportunities. Alberto Bettiol, Magnus Cort, and Neilson Powless add strength to the squad, displaying his knack for performing in crucial races and Powless showcasing his talent in the Classics. Powless, in particular, will be eager to secure his maiden stage win at the Tour, drawing inspiration from his previous success in the Basque Country.

Photo source: Online

8. Groupama-FDJ
Groupama-FDJ faces an intriguing Tour de France with an initial roster controversy, leaving out top sprinter Arnaud Démare in favor of focusing on David Gaudu's GC aspirations. Gaudu, who secured an impressive fourth place last year, aims to improve and reach the podium. However, his form has been inconsistent in 2023, with a notable 2nd place at Paris-Nice but a lackluster 30th at the Critérium du Dauphiné.
 
Stefan Küng will provide crucial support as a versatile rouleur, while Valentin Madouas will play a key role in the mountains. The team's stage-hunting efforts will be led by Quentin Pacher, who showcased his talent at the Vuelta a España.

The final Tour de France appearance of fan-favorite Thibaut Pinot adds another layer of excitement. Despite narrowly missing a Giro d'Italia stage win, Pinot claimed the mountains classification and a fifth-place GC finish, proving his capability to shine in the Tour.

Photo source: Online

9. Ineos Grenadiers
Ineos Grenadiers are in an unusual position without a clear leader or top-five contender. Former winner, Egan Bernal's recovery journey from a life-threatening crash, has been remarkable, but a charge for the yellow jersey is premature. Bernal has shown promise despite knee issues and crashes, finishing 12th overall at the Dauphiné.
 
Dani Martínez, another Colombian, appears to be Ineos' strongest GC candidate, showcasing good form before dropping in the final stage of the Dauphiné. Young talents Tom Pidcock and Carlos Rodríguez will also be given opportunities in the general classification.

The experienced trio of Luke Rowe, Michał Kwiatkowski, and Jonathan Castroviejo will provide crucial support, having recently won their national time trial championships.

Photo source: Online

10. Intermarché - Circus - Wanty
The eagerly anticipated debutant, Biniam Girmay, excites Intermarché - Circus - Wanty. With notable wins at Gent-Wevelgem and the Giro d'Italia, Girmay's rapid finishing skills and ability to handle challenging terrain make him a strong contender for stage victories. His recent triumph at the Tour de Suisse boosts his confidence for the Tour de France.
 
Louis Meintjes, who quietly secured 7th place overall in last year's Tour, aims to replicate his performance this year. The team also features Georg Zimmerman, Rui Costa, Lilian Calmejane, and Mike Teunissen, who will support Girmay's lead-out train alongside Adrien Petit.

Photo source: Online

11. Israel-Premier Tech
Despite their UCI World Tour relegation, Israel-Premier Tech secured a wildcard invitation to the Tour de France. Their team aims for stage wins, building on their emotional victories in 2022. The squad impressed at the Giro d'Italia with an attacking style, and they hope to adopt the same approach in the Tour.
 
Michael Woods and Dylan Teuns showcase strong climbing form, with Woods winning La Route d'Occitanie. Initially expected to start, Chris Froome was left out for a team better suited to their goals. Corbin Strong and Nick Schultz join the roster, bringing speed and previous near-stage win experience.

Photo source: Online

12. Jumbo-Visma
Jonas Vingegaard, defending champion, continues to impress with dominant performances at O Gran Camino and Itzulia Basque Country. The Jumbo-Visma team aims to win the Tour de France again, with Wout van Aert providing versatile support.
 
Fresh from his role as a lieutenant at the Giro d'Italia, Sepp Kuss will offer crucial assistance in the mountains. Christophe Laporte, a strong all-rounder, and Dylan van Baarle, the 2022 Paris-Roubaix winner, add depth to the team's strength. Expect Jumbo-Visma to take a proactive approach, seeking opportunities to make race-defining moves.

Photo source: Online

13. Lotto-Dstny
Lotto-Dstny aims to secure a stage win at the Tour de France, with sprinter Caleb Ewan leading the charge. Jasper de Buyst and Jacopo Guarnieri will support Ewan in the lead-out. Despite a challenging 2022 season, Ewan has maintained his top-end speed and shouldn't be underestimated.
 
Young rider Maxim Van Gils is another key rider, with impressive performances in the Ardennes Classics and the Dauphiné. Look out for him in punchy stages or breakaways alongside Pascal Eenkhoorn.

Photo source: Online

14. Movistar
Movistar, the long-running Spanish cycling team, enters its 41st appearance at the Tour de France with high hopes. Team leader Enric Mas aims to bounce back from his underwhelming 2022 performance and challenge for the general classification.
 
Known for his strong three-week performances, Mas has finished as a runner-up at the Vuelta an España three times and achieved top-six finishes at the Tour twice.

Matteo Jorgenson, a versatile rider, will provide valuable support to Mas and has showcased his talent with wins at the Tour of Oman and top-ten placements at prestigious races. Movistar's team for the race is yet to be announced, but they have unveiled a special 'iceberg' kit that will be auctioned to support ocean protection.

Photo source: Online

15. Soudal Quick-Step
Soudal Quick-Step, the Belgian team, is renowned for their stage-hunting mastery at the Tour de France. Led by sprinter Fabio Jakobsen, who made a remarkable comeback from a life-threatening crash, they aim for stage wins. While Jakobsen is one of the fastest sprinters, his momentum with the QuickStep lead-out has yet to click fully. However, his recent victories at the Baloise Belgium Tour show his potential.
 
Soudal-QuickStep will also rely on Julian Alaphilippe, the charismatic Frenchman and two-time World Champion, who returned to winning form at the Dauphiné. With Alaphilippe's attacking style, they hope to impact the opening stage in the Basque Country and perhaps seize the coveted yellow jersey once again.

Photo source: Online

16. Team Arkéa-Samsic
Arkéa-Samsic, the French team, secured a World Tour status and will be automatically qualified for their home race, the Tour de France. Led by climber Warren Barguil, who has yet to win a stage at the Tour, the team remains hopeful.
 
Their roster is yet to be announced, but their sprinters, including Hugo Hofstetter and Luca Mozzato, will strive for stage wins in the bunch of sprints. Elie Gesbert and Clément Champoussin, also part of the provisional team, will support Barguil and target stage victories.

Champoussin's past success at the Vuelta, where he won a memorable stage, makes him a strong contender if he joins a breakaway on a hilly day.

Photo source: Online

17. Team DSM-Firmenich
DSM-Firmenich, formerly Team DSM, enters the Tour de France with aspirations for the general classification and stage wins. Rising star Sam Welsford, a talented sprinter, has been impressing with his performances, securing victories and podium finishes. The team is known for nurturing new talent and adopting a challenging leadership style.
 
With experienced leader Romain Bardet at the helm, who has consistently placed within the top ten in stage races this season, they bring a mix of youth and seasoned expertise.

Bardet's sixth-place finish at last year's Tour provides motivation, especially with stage finishes in his hometown of Clermont-Ferrand and on the nearby Puy de Dôme.

Photo source: Online

18. Team Jayco-AlUla
Jayco-AlUla is ready to make an impact at the Tour de France with an impressive roster. Team leader Simon Yates, who skipped the Giro d'Italia this year, focuses on altitude training for his podium ambitions. Yates had a successful spring season, including a stage win and a second-place finish at the Tour Down Under.
 
Sprinter Dylan Groenewegen, an early-stage winner last year, adds to the team's firepower. With six victories this season, Groenewegen aims to increase his Tour de France stage tally. Supported by Luka Mezgec and road captain Luke Durbridge, Jayco-AlUla is poised for a memorable performance in the race.

Photo source: Online

19. TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies, boasting one of the oldest lineups, aims to prove they differ from yesterday's men at the Tour de France. Led by the legendary Peter Sagan, riding his final Tour, the team brings a wealth of experience.
 
With seven points jerseys and a dozen stage wins to his name, Sagan may not be in his prime, but he remains a formidable force. TotalEnergies will be active in breakaways, seeking a stage victory to uplift their season. After a less fruitful year, they are hungry for success, having only secured one victory in Europe thus far.

Photo source: Online

20. UAE Team Emirates
UAE Team Emirates has a singular objective at the Tour de France: securing the yellow jersey with their leader, Tadej Pogačar. After missing out on a third consecutive victory, Pogačar is determined to bounce back and reclaim the coveted jersey.
 
His dominant performances in the spring classics, winning races like Paris-Nice and Amstel Gold Race, showcased his unrivaled ability. Despite a wrist injury, Pogačar returned strong, triumphing at the Slovenian national time trial championships.

While the full team is yet to be announced, loyal teammate Rafał Majka is expected to support Pogačar in the mountains. Including Adam Yates would provide an additional asset for Pogačar's quest for victory.

Photo source: Online

21. Uno-X Pro Cycling Team
Scandinavian newcomers Uno-X Pro Cycling bring fresh energy to the Tour de France. As underdogs, they aim to make their mark through aggressive attacks and supporting experienced sprinter Alexander Kristoff.
 
The team's roster boasts promising talents like U23 TT world champion Søren Wærenskjold, a strong sprinter, and mountain specialists Tobias Halland Johannessen and Torsten Træen, who impressed with an eighth-place finish at the Critérium du Dauphiné. Uno-X's presence in the race will surely surprise and captivate observers with their determined performance.

Photo source: Online

22. Lidl-Trek
Lidl-Trek, riding under their new name for the first time, have a talented lineup led by Giulio Ciccone. The Italian's impressive form this season, including a stage win at the Criterium du Dauphiné, solidifies his role as team leader.
 
Support will come from the promising young rider Mattias Skjelmose, who showed maturity with a victory at the Tour de Suisse. Former World Champion Mads Pedersen adds firepower for stage wins, employing breakaway tactics if needed. Pedersen aims to challenge stages with a stacked sprint field and capitalize on opportunities.

Photo source: Online

Conclusion

The 2023 Tour de France features 22 teams, each with aspirations and strengths. From AG2R-Citroën's pursuit of the yellow jersey to Bora-Hansgrohe's climbing prowess with Jai Hindley, the race promises excitement and fierce competition. With riders like Mark Cavendish, Richard Carapaz, and Enric Mas vying for glory, the Tour de France will showcase thrilling battles and unforgettable performances.

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