Best 2020 UCI ProTeam: Alpecin-Fenix “qualified” for the 2021 Tour de France
As best 2020 ProTeam Alpecin-Fenix around top rider Mathieu van der Poel earned to compete in the most important cycling races in 2021.
Since the end of December 2020, it’s been official. As best 2020 “ProConti” team, Alpecin-Fenix around top rider and cyclocross World Champion Mathieu van der Poel have qualified to start in all WorldTour races in the 2021 season.
Although the team only has ProTeam status, i.e., rides in the second division, the Belgian team have qualified for the Champions League of cycling thanks to their outstanding performances in the past season. As best ProTeam of the 2020 season, they will get obligatory invitations to all WorldTour races in 2021 according to UCI regulations (art. 2.1.007bis). This includes, in addition to the three grand tours, all five monuments as well as more than 20 one-day and stage races.
At the end of the 2020 season team Alpecin-Fenix ranked 12th in the professional teams’ overall ranking with a total of 4788 points and was thus the best ProTeam. They were ahead of Arkea Samsic, who ranked 14th with 3697 points. Team Jumbo-Visma finished on top of the team ranking.
2020 UCI World Ranking of Cycling Teams
Rider with most points: Mathieu van der Poel
Mathieu van der Poel collected almost half of all points, i.e., 2020. He achieved top placings in all four monuments and, not least, crowned the team’s successful season by winning the Tour of Flanders.
Unlike the 19 WorldTeams, however, Alpecin-Fenix does not have to participate in all WorldTour races but are free to compete. French team Total Direct Energie, e.g., who enjoyed the privilege of “obligatory invitations” in the 2020 season, only participated in two major national tours, the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana, and skipped Giro d’Italia.
Which WorldTour races Alpecin-Fenix will participate in in 2021 has not yet been decided. However, the team will for sure start in all five monuments as well as the three grand tours – Giro d’Italia, Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana.
Yes, that’s us in the teams list for the #TDF2021! A bientôt, le Tour! 😍 https://t.co/NiI62Wxeim
— Alpecin-Fenix Cycling Team (@AlpecinFenix) February 4, 2021