SCHWARZSEE, SWITZERLAND - JUNE 16: Ewen Costiou of France and Team Arkea - B&B Hotels leads the peloton during the 88th Tour de Suisse, Stage 2 a 177km stage from Aarau to Schwarzsee / #UCIWT / on June 16, 2025 in Schwarzsee, Switzerland. (Photo by Tim de Waele/Getty Images)
With less than a week to go until the Grand Départ of the 2025 Tour de France in Lille, teams are finalizing their preparations and confirming their eight-man squads for the most prestigious race of the year. This year’s Tour will feature 184 riders across 23 teams, each with distinct goals and ambitions. For some, anything short of the maillot jaune in Paris will be a disappointment, while others will be content with a single stage win. Meanwhile, WorldTour survival and securing new sponsors remain high on the agenda for others.
All 18 WorldTour teams will participate in this year’s race. Lotto and Israel-Premier Tech join as the two best-ranked UCI ProTeams, while Uno-X Mobility, TotalEnergies, and Tudor Pro Cycling have received wildcard entries from race organizer ASO. From Alpecin-Deceuninck to XDS-Astana, here’s an expert guide to each team at this year’s Tour de France, including their leaders, riders to watch, and race ambitions.
Alpecin-Deceuninck: Sprinting for Glory
The Belgian squad Alpecin-Deceuninck has unveiled a strong team led by superstar sprinter Jasper Philipsen and his lead-out partner, Mathieu van der Poel. Philipsen, the 2023 green jersey winner, is in good form following a recent stage win at the Baloise Belgium Tour. His rivalry with countryman Tim Merlier promises to be one of the race’s highlights.
Van der Poel, recovering from a wrist fracture, is expected to be a key player in the sprints and on hilly stages. Australian sprinter Kaden Groves adds depth to the team, ready to step up should Philipsen falter.
Arkéa-B&B Hotels: Fighting for Survival
French team Arkéa-B&B Hotels faces a challenging Tour as they battle for UCI WorldTour status and seek new title sponsors. Led by rising star Kévin Vauquelin, the team aims for stage wins and exposure to attract sponsors. Vauquelin, who won the Etoile de Bessèges and Région Pays de la Loire Tour, is their best hope for success.
Veteran sprinter Arnaud Démare, struggling to end a winning drought, will look to add to his two Tour stage wins, while Cristián Rodríguez is an outside bet for mountainous breakaways.
Bahrain Victorious: Aiming High in the Mountains
Colombian climber Santiago Buitrago leads Bahrain Victorious, aiming for a top-five finish after a top-10 debut last year. Supported by Jack Haig and young talent Lenny Martinez, the team is well-equipped for the mountains.
German sprinter Phil Bauhaus and versatile Fred Wright will target sprint stages and breakaways, while Matej Mohorič, a three-time Tour stage winner, will look for opportunities on hilly days.
Cofidis: Chasing Stage Wins and UCI Points
Cofidis enters the Tour seeking stage wins and valuable UCI points to secure their WorldTour status. German climber Emanuel Buchmann leads their GC charge, aiming for a top-10 finish.
Basque duo Alex Aranburu and Ion Izagirre will lead breakaway efforts, with Dylan Teuns also in the mix. Bryan Coquard and Alexis Renard will focus on sprint stages, though a Tour stage win remains elusive for Coquard.
Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale: A Balanced Approach
Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale, led by Felix Gall, aims for a top-10 GC finish and stage wins. Gall, who impressed with a queen stage victory in 2023, is in good form following a strong performance at the Tour de Suisse.
The team, featuring stage hunters like Bruno Armirail and Bastien Tronchon, will look to capitalize on their versatility throughout the race.
EF Education-EasyPost: Adapting to New Challenges
With Richard Carapaz sidelined, EF Education-EasyPost shifts focus to stage wins and the mountains classification. Neilson Powless and Ben Healy, both in strong form, lead the team.
Harry Sweeny, fresh from a strong performance at the Tour de Suisse, is another rider to watch as the team seeks opportunities in breakaways and challenging stages.
Groupama-FDJ: French Pride and Ambition
Groupama-FDJ brings a predominantly French lineup, aiming for stage wins and a top-15 GC finish. Romain Grégoire, known for his aggressive style, will target hilly stages, while Guillaume Martin leads their GC ambitions.
On flat stages, Lewis Askey and Paul Penhoët will represent the team’s sprint hopes.
Ineos Grenadiers: A New Era
Carlos Rodríguez leads Ineos Grenadiers, aiming for a top-five GC finish. The team, known for its aggressive racing style, will also target stage wins with Filippo Ganna eyeing the flat time trial.
Geraint Thomas, in his final Tour, adds experience, though his role remains uncertain following a recent crash.
Intermarché-Wanty: Building on Success
Intermarché-Wanty, led by Biniam Girmay, focuses on stage wins after a successful 2024 Tour. Girmay, supported by a strong lead-out team, aims to break his winless streak this season.
Georg Zimmermann and Louis Barré offer options for mountain stages, while the team remains a threat in breakaways.
Israel-Premier Tech: Stage Hunters
Without a top GC contender, Israel-Premier Tech targets stage wins with a varied roster. Pascal Ackermann and Jake Stewart share sprint duties, while Michael Woods returns from illness to chase mountain stages.
Joseph Blackmore, making his Grand Tour debut, is a promising talent to watch.
Lidl-Trek: Sprinting for Success
Lidl-Trek focuses on sprint wins for Jonathan Milan, supported by a strong lead-out team. Mattias Skjelmose, their GC hope, faces a tough challenge with limited climbing support.
Thibau Nys, a rising star, aims for stage wins, while Jasper Stuyven and Toms Skujiņš add versatility.
Lotto: Seeking Redemption
Arnaud De Lie leads Lotto, aiming for stage wins despite recent struggles. Lennert Van Eetvelt, a promising climber, offers hope on tougher stages.
With several riders out of contract, the team may see aggressive racing as individuals seek new deals.
Movistar: Consistency and Ambition
Enric Mas leads Movistar, targeting a top-five GC finish. Supported by a strong team, Mas hopes to improve his Tour record.
Iván Romeo, the new Spanish national champion, is a rider to watch in breakaways and time trials.
Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe: Dual Objectives
Primož Roglič leads Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, aiming for GC success and sprint wins with Jordi Meeus. Florian Lipowitz, a rising star, offers a backup GC option.
The team balances GC ambitions with a strong sprint lineup, featuring Danny van Poppel and Classics specialists.
Soudal-QuickStep: All Eyes on Evenepoel
Remco Evenepoel leads Soudal-QuickStep, aiming to improve on last year’s podium finish. Supported by a strong team, Evenepoel faces high expectations despite a challenging build-up.
Tim Merlier, a strong sprint contender, adds depth to the team’s stage win ambitions.
Jayco-AlUla: Australian Ambitions
Ben O’Connor leads Jayco-AlUla, targeting a top-five GC finish. Supported by debutants Eddie Dunbar and Luke Plapp, O’Connor aims to build on his strong form.
Dylan Groenewegen represents the team’s sprint hopes, while the squad remains versatile with multiple objectives.
Picnic-PostNL: A New Era
Oscar Onley leads Picnic-PostNL, aiming for a high GC finish after Romain Bardet’s retirement. The team, featuring sprinter Tobias Lund Andresen, targets stage wins and breakaways.
Warren Barguil, a former stage winner, adds experience and potential for mountain success.
TotalEnergies: Stage Hunting Specialists
Anthony Turgis leads TotalEnergies, focusing on stage wins. The team, featuring breakaway specialists like Steff Cras and Alexandre Delettre, aims to replicate last year’s success.
Emilien Jeanniere, a consistent performer, offers hope in sprint stages.
Visma-Lease a Bike: Vingegaard’s Quest
Jonas Vingegaard leads Visma-Lease a Bike, aiming for overall victory. Supported by a strong team, including Wout van Aert and Simon Yates, Vingegaard seeks to reclaim the yellow jersey.
Van Aert, a versatile rider, remains a threat on multiple stages, while Matteo Jorgenson offers GC support.
Tudor Pro Cycling: A Historic Debut
Julian Alaphilippe leads Tudor Pro Cycling in their Tour debut, focusing on stage wins. Supported by Matteo Trentin and Marc Hirschi, the team aims for breakaway success.
Alberto Dainese, the team’s sprinter, seeks opportunities in flat finishes.
UAE Team Emirates-XRG: Pogacar’s Pursuit
Tadej Pogacar leads UAE Team Emirates-XRG, aiming for his fourth Tour victory. Supported by a strong team, including João Almeida and Adam Yates, Pogacar seeks to defend his title.
The team remains focused on Pogacar’s ambitions, with Almeida offering potential in weeklong races.
Uno-X Mobility: Returning for More
Uno-X Mobility returns to the Tour, aiming for stage wins with Magnus Cort and Andreas Leknessund. The team, known for their aggressive racing style, seeks opportunities in breakaways and challenging stages.
Jonas Abrahamsen, recovering from injury, adds depth to their mountain ambitions.
XDS-Astana: New Goals, New Faces
XDS-Astana enters the Tour with stage hunting ambitions, featuring a mix of veterans and new talent. Mike Teunissen and Sergio Higuita lead their efforts, while Cees Bol and Davide Ballerini target sprints.
The team, enjoying a successful season, aims to build on their momentum with a less pressured approach.
The 2025 Tour de France promises thrilling battles across all terrains, with teams and riders bringing diverse strategies and ambitions. As the race unfolds, fans can expect surprises, intense competition, and unforgettable moments on the world’s biggest cycling stage.
