After missing out on selectin for the Tour de France, Wanty-Groupe Gobert didn't receive a wild card for the Vuelta a Espana.

 

"We achieved good results in the Classics. It is a shame. We are disappointed but we must focus to do everything to ride a Grand Tour in 2017," sports director Hilaire Van der Schueren said.

 

The race program remains interesting. The Tour of Britain in September is now sure.

 

"This is a great race. Moreover, our partners Kalas and Cube will be delighted. The level is very high in Great Britain," Hilaire Van der Schueren continued.

 

Next year, ASO and the UCI separate. It can open doors to a Grand Tour.

 

"If the Tour de France and the Vuelta are no longer part of the World Tour, we will have more chances to participate in the Tour de France," Hilaire Van der Schueren explained.

 

This season Wanty-Groupe Gobert will make their debut in the Critérium du Dauphiné, known as the 'gateway to the Tour de France'.

 

"I already warned my riders that this race is important for us to show the organizers that we can play a role in this race."

 

Team manager Jean-François Bourlart is disappointed but remains fully confident for 2017.

 

"The system is still based on other criteria than the performances on the road. The wildcards for the two French teams are logical and Caja-Rural must ride in her country. If you look at the different rankings, the fourth wildcard must have been for us. We postpone our dream to next year. We still have time to grow up. I strongly believe in the Tour 2017!"