Organization confirms: Tour de l’Avenir opens doors to development teams

The Tour de l'Avenir – one of the most important races for U23 riders – will this year welcome not only national teams. The organization confirmed this via a press release following earlier rumors. Commercial development teams are now also welcome in the race of the future.

The upcoming edition of the Tour de l'Avenir is scheduled from August 19 to 27. A-VELO, the race organizer, has applied to the UCI for a 2.2U status. As a result, not only national teams but also development teams will be able to participate in the race.

"The change in the participation criteria of the Tour de l’Avenir fully reflects the reality of current professional cycling," the organization writes. "Following the restructuring of professional cycling by the UCI, pro teams are investing increasingly in the development of (very) young riders by establishing development teams."

So far, ten development teams have confirmed participation
So far, ten development teams have confirmed their participation in the Tour de l'Avenir. This includes Visma | Lease a Bike Development, Development Team Picnic PostNL, and Soudal Quick-Step Devo. Also participating are: Bahrain Victorious Development Team, EF Education Aevolo, INEOS Grenadiers Racing Academy, Lidl-Trek Future Racing, Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe Rookies, Tudor Pro Cycling Team U23, and UAE Team Emirates Gen-Z.

The route for the 2026 edition will be announced in the coming months, along with the list of national teams taking part in the event.

Marino Amadori
Marino Amadori, who has long served as the head coach of the Italian U23 team, was already aware of the change. He discussed it in an interview with Bici.Pro. "This year, the Tour de l'Avenir will be a mixed event: reserved for both teams and national selections," he pointed out. "The best riders of our country will compete as part of a team."

This includes Lorenzo Finn, the reigning U23 world champion, who races for Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe Rookies. The new Italian cycling sensation is expected to contest the Tour de l'Avenir with this team.

Sporting setback
For Amadori and the Italian federation, this is quite a blow. "It’s clear that – if the best riders compete for their development teams – it will be difficult for us to compete. The expectation is that we will therefore not participate as a national team."

"There is no point in taking part with riders from continental teams or even club teams. I want to further develop these riders by having them compete in high-level races where there is still room to try something new. This involves a group of about ten riders."