Arkéa – B&B Hotels have been for the entire year struggling and most likely the team will come to an end in December. Whilst not impossible, there is a very small chance that the team will save itself and it’s big revelation Kévin Vauquelin will depart. Sources at the Tour de France indicate INEOS Grenadiers is the likely destination for the Frenchman.
What is known is that within the teams interested in Vauquelin is also Team Visma | Lease a Bike, and with certainty there is a big battle undergoing behind the scenes currently to sign the 24-year old. For several years now he has already emerged as a very talented rider, mostly a puncheur but a rider that over the years has developed quite a lot as a climber overall and time-trialist as well.
Vauquelin is now a two-time runner-up at Flèche Wallonne consecutively, and has won races such as the Etoile de Bessèges and Region Pays de la Loire Tour this year. At the Tour de Suisse he rode to a second place in the overall classification, spending time in the yellow jersey as well. Whilst not being seen as a Grand Tour specialist, he has started off this Tour in absolute perfection and is currently joining Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel in the virtual podium.
Vauquelin is sitting ahead of Jonas Vingegaard in the GC, having performed strongly in the hilly days, held his own in the front group on the crosswind-affected first stage, and riding a very strong time-trial. Last year Vauquelin made his Tour de France debut and won stage 2 into Bologna; but his current endeavors are perhaps even more impressive.
With no contract for the upcoming season he is one of the most desired riders in the market and according to Gazzetta dello Sport’s Ciro Scognamiglio, his move to INEOS Grenadiers (who recently announced the French TotalEnergies as a new sponsor) can be considered almost a done deal.