Tour De France D-1: The Clock Is Ticking

For the first time ever, Tudor Pro Cycling will line up at the Tour de France, the most iconic race in professional cycling. What began as a dream has become a reality.

4.07.2025

From our roots as a Development Team to standing on the start line of the world’s biggest stage, this moment is the result of years of relentless hard work, passion, and belief. Tomorrow, our riders won’t just race for victory, they’ll race for everyone who believed in this project from the very beginning: our staff, our fans, and our partners.

Yesterday, the atmosphere in Lille was electric. The city center turned yellow to celebrate the Team Presentation, creating a buzz that could be felt by all. Our eight riders paraded from the Opera to the main square, greeted by an enthusiastic crowd. Among them, Julian Alaphilippe received a thunderous ovation, a testament to his place in the hearts of cycling fans.

Today, the final touches were made. While the riders reconned the opening stage, our staff was hard at work, making sure every detail was perfect. The excitement is undeniable, the Grand Départ is almost here.

Julian Alaphilippe shared his thoughts ahead of the race: “I’m really happy to be back at the Tour de France, and especially to experience it with Tudor Pro Cycling for the very first time. It’s a special moment for us. Some of our riders and staff are discovering the Tour for the first time, and you can feel the energy.” Surrounded by cameras and microphones, he spoke about the challenges ahead: “The first week suits me well, but I haven’t studied the stages in depth. It will be chaotic, so staying well-positioned to avoid crashes will be key. The wind could also play a big role.” Fresh off a strong performance at the Tour de Suisse, Julian is focused and determined: “I’m here to win a stage, for myself, and for the team. That would mean a lot.”

Alongside Julian is Marc Hirschi, eager to make his mark after a three-year absence from the Tour that catapulted him to fame in 2020: “I have amazing memories of the Tour de France, so I’m really excited to be back. My goal is to win a stage, either early in the race or later on through a breakaway.”

Another person who is making a return to the race after a few years is Team Owner Fabian Cancellara. “My last time at the Tour was in 2016 when I was still a rider. I am back here as the proud and happy Team Owner.” When asked about the Team’s ambitions, Fabian answered “We will race with our Born To Dare approach but I am not the one setting the tactics here. I am surrounded by a great group of professionals who I fully trust to make this Tour de France a great moment.”

Matteo Tosatto, Sports Director is then given the word to talk about ambitions. “We are here to win a stage. We have different cards to play: Julian and Marc for the hilly stages, Michael (Storer) for the mountain stages and Alberto (Dainese) for the sprints. We have a strong team of both experience and young riders, all highly motivated to compete and make the Tudor shield shine.”

The stage is set. The riders are ready. The Team is ready. The journey begins tomorrow.