Originally Posted by
MinnMan
Not sure. There is this thing that the top 2 Pro teams (currently Alpecin-Fenix and Arkea Samsic) get automatic invitations anyway, so if that remains in 2023, it will be 18 +2, I think? Also, Alpecin-Fenix and Arkea Samsic are easily in the top 18 in points now, but I'm not sure that they will apply to become World Tour teams b/c they may or may not fulfill the other criteria. Clearly, they are both rich enough to meet the financial requirements, but do they want to field teams in all those events?
It's not simply the top 18 teams in points, but rather the top 18 teams that
APPLY for World Tour licenses....
Lanterne Rouge discusses some of these points here
https://lanternerouge.com.au/2022/02...ion-explained/
Arkea clearly want it, AF are being a bit coy. But ISTM if AF don't apply they run the risk of MVdP signing for someone else two years down the line or having having his back go, since unlike European football, relegation/promotion is on a 3 year time frame. And while Philipsen and Merlier are useful (assuming
they stick around) right now MVdP is AF.
But if Astana don't get their act together it's possible Astana get the boot, so 19th might be safe.
It's only 1 stage in, but in the team standings Israel and Lotto are 19th and 20th (only DH Androni are below them), which is where they are in the UCI rankings. Neither team is built for GTs so it's hard to see that changing much. Ewan might get them a few stages (stage wins are worth 100 pts)
if he can stop crashing, which is looking like a bigger ask than it ought to be. The guy is seriously quick but seems to have bike control problems in traffic -- this time he just ran into Girmay, who was keeping his line. At least he didn't take out anybody this time, like he did when he ran into Merlier in the Tour.