Caja Rural calls Tour wildcard well deserved: "We were better than Unibet Rose Rockets last year"

Caja Rural-Seguros RGA received the good news on Friday that the team will start this summer’s Tour de France. At the team bus during the Trofeo Serra Tramuntana, media gathered wanting a first reaction from sporting director Josemi Fernandez. He said the wildcard came as a surprise: "We really didn’t have any illusions."

"Within the team, we barely talked about that wildcard," said the Spaniard. "So when we heard we might get the wildcard, we stayed very cautious. We certainly didn’t take it for granted."

"We now even have to adjust our entire schedule, as we are normally used to the Vuelta, with fixed dates and a clear calendar," he continued. "But of course, we look forward to the challenge. The key to a good Tour de France will be to adapt as best as possible to the new situation. Fortunately, we have time to make sure our riders are at their level."

Fernandez could already preview which riders might be selected. "Because of his reputation, it makes sense to go with Gaviria for the sprints. Iuri Leitao is then the logical lead-out. We also have Abel Balderstone and Jaume Guardeño, who rode a very good Vuelta last year. Then I also think of Nicolau, Barcelo, Moldani, and Molenaar. Now the small internal battle within our team begins."