Foldable Bikes Party: Tour de France: The alternative 'non-selected' nine-man team

Thursday, 30 June 2016

Tour de France: The alternative 'non-selected' nine-man team

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Over the past couple of weeks, 198 riders have been told to pack their bags for a three-week trip around France. Some, however, have not.

This year some notable names have missed out on selection for the biggest race of the year but – in what will be of no consolation whatsoever – we've made a home for them here, in the welcoming bosom of our alternative 'not-picked' team of nine. This is not a place for those who were never going to do the Tour de France, or those who have been injured, but rather riders who were in line to take part in La Grande Boucle, but didn't get the nod.

They say that one man's trash is another man's treasure, and so we proudly present the unofficial 23rd team of the 2016 Tour de France.

Leader - Ryder Hesjedal (Trek-Segafredo)

Our team has proven Grand Tour pedigree in the form of 2012 Giro d'Italia winner Ryder Hesjedal, who will lead our bid for the maillot jaune.

The 35-year-old's primary goal for the season was the Giro d'Italia in May, but he was forced to abandon on stage 14 as he came down with a combination of pharyngitis and tracheitis. Hesjedal is no stranger to doubling up on the Giro and Tour, and his early exit strengthened the likelihood of him going to France to back up Bauke Mollema and perhaps go on the offensive in the mountains in the final week. However, having finished an hour back at the Critérium du Dauphiné, the team was not convinced of his form.

"It was the right decision by all involved in the process," said Hesjedal on Twitter regarding his omission. "Just not at the level I am usually at. Can't do Tour less than 100%."