A British Grand Départ, it was hoped, would see teams take advantage of the commercial and sentimental value of fielding Brits. As a pro continental team, Team NetApp-Endura – with Scottish co-sponsors – still avoided such a lure as Scott Thwaites was named only as a reserve.
The WorldTour teams, too, have opted for team strength rather than take chances on ill, injured or inexperienced Brits.
But should we worry? At the height of the supposed rise and rise of British Cycling, are we now set for a rapid descent back to the Brit-free Tours of 2004 and 2005.
Well, no, not really. Perhaps this year is, genuinely, just an unfortunately-timed blip.
Of the Team Sky’s British riders to miss out, Luke Rowe (24), Josh Edmondson (21), Peter Kennaugh (25), Ben Swift (26) and Ian Stannard (27) are all aged less than 30.
The four Brits to make the cut are too, with Geraint Thomas (28), Chris Froome (29), Mark Cavendish (29) and Simon Yates (21) on the startlist.
Add to the mix 25-year-old Alex Dowsett (Movistar) and Simon’s in-form 21-year-old twin Adam Yates (Orica-GreenEDGE) and the future is still bright for British Cycling.
Eight British riders started the Tour in Team Sky’s debut year in 2010 – Wiggins, Cummings, Thomas, Millar, Jeremy Hunt, Dan Lloyd, Charly Wegelius and Cavendish.
This year may be a disappointing one in terms of British riders on the start line, but we still boast the defending champion, the world’s best sprinter, one of the most revered domestiques in the bunch and a phenomenally talented neo pro.
And with Wiggins and Cummings not exactly over the hill either, Utrecht should beware ahead of the 2015 Grand Depart, the British are coming – we hope!
