Wanty-Groupe Gobert is ready to take the next step in its development in 2015. After 10 victories, 43 podium places and a second place in the UCI Europe Tour overall ranking in 2014, the Belgian pro continental team wants a wildcard for a Grand Tour in 2015.

“We have signed strong riders for next season including three new Italians,” team manager Jean-François Bourlart explains.

“With Amstel Gold Race winner Enrico Gasparotto and Marco Marcato (winner Paris-Tours) we have strengthened the Italian part of our team significantly. We would therefore like to receive a wildcard for the Giro d’Italia and other races by RCS like Milan-San Remo, Strade Bianche, Tirreno Adriatico and Il Lombardia.”

“Next to these strong Italian riders we have Italian partners like Northwave, GSG, Fulcrum, San Marco and FSA who support our team. The link with the Giro d’Italia can therefore easily be explained,” Bourlart says.

“But we will also apply for a wildcard for the Tour de France and Vuelta. Traditionally our team is strong in the Classics and one-day races but we now also have riders who are capable to ride Grand Tours.”

Riders like Björn Leukemans, Frederik Veuchelen, Yannick Eijssen and Francis De Greef took part in several Grand Tours, just like the Italians Gasparotto, Mirko Selvaggi, Danilo Napolitano and Marcato. De Greef finished no less than eleven Grand Tours!

“If you also take into account guys like sprinter Roy Jans, Jérôme Baugnies and young talents like Frederik Backaert and Marco Minnaard, we have a team ready to ride a Grand Tour in 2015. I am sure that Wanty-Groupe Gobert is ready for this next step in its development,” Bourlart concludes.