Direct Energie Cycling Team Eyeing World Tour Candidature

Int'l Cycling Union (UCI) Pro Continental team Direct Energie President Jean-René Bernaudeau confirmed the team will apply for a place in the World Tour in '19, according to L’ÉQUIPE. Direct Energie would be the third French team in the top tier of professional cycling, along with AG2R-La Mondiale and Groupama-FDJ. If Bernaudeau gets his way, it would "guarantee the team places in major cycling events," including the Tour de France. He said, "We are leaving a Tour de France in which our team of fighters was one of the most visible. Even if we did not win a stage, Direct Energie lit up the Tour. ... Direct Energie, our main sponsor, is committed to us in the long term and supports our desire to develop so we will apply for a spot." Direct Energie CEO Xavier Caïtucoli said, "With this team, we've found a strong vector of notoriety and brand visibility. The Direct Energie team aims to be a leader in international cycling. The World Tour is a natural environment to satisfy this ambition" (L’ÉQUIPE, 8/1).