EF Education-EasyPost has finalized its eight-rider roster for the 2024 Tour de France, naming Richard Carapaz and Ben Healy as the team’s primary leaders. The squad will prioritize stage victories and aggressive racing across the three-week Grand Tour, shifting away from a singular focus on the general classification to exploit the race’s challenging transitional stages.
The EF Education-EasyPost 2024 Tour de France Roster
The team selected for this year’s edition of the Tour includes a mix of experienced campaigners and first-time participants. Joining Carapaz and Healy are:
- Kasper Asgreen: A veteran of six Tours with four podium finishes, including a stage win in 2023.
- Michael Valgren: A seasoned professional with prior Grand Tour stage success.
- Alex Baudin: A rising French talent coming off a consistent season.
- Sean Quinn: The former U.S. Pro road champion.
- Max Walker: Making his Tour de France debut.
- Georg Steinhauser: Making his Tour de France debut.
Strategic Goals for the Squad
According to team leadership, the primary objective is to secure stage wins rather than chasing the overall yellow jersey. Richard Carapaz, who previously won the mountains classification in 2022, emphasized that his role as road captain involves supporting the team’s flexible strategy.
"We have a versatile team, and that ultimately helps a lot with the team’s ambitions," Carapaz stated in a team announcement. "The general classification will depend heavily on how the race circumstances unfold. I want to go after stage wins and could try to repeat winning the mountains jersey."
For Ben Healy, the race serves as an opportunity to replicate the aggressive style that defined his 2023 campaign. Despite a spring season interrupted by a fractured sacrum, Healy indicated he is prepared to target the race’s numerous transitional stages, which he believes offer the best opportunities for successful breakaways.
Addressing Physical Setbacks
The road to the 2024 Tour de France has been physically demanding for several roster members. Carapaz, who missed the 2023 Tour due to gastrointestinal issues, underwent surgery earlier this year to address a persistent saddle sore. He recently completed a successful preparation block, finishing second overall at the Tour de Suisse.
Kasper Asgreen and Sean Quinn also enter the race following periods of recovery from injury. Asgreen dealt with a broken collarbone earlier in the season, while Quinn has managed recurring knee pain. Despite these hurdles, the team remains focused on the day-to-day tactical execution required to navigate the peloton.
Expectations for the Final Week
Young rider Alex Baudin, who has secured nine top-10 finishes this season, highlighted the importance of the final week in shaping the outcome of the race. Following a strong performance at the Tour de l’Ain, Baudin noted that stages 6, 9, and 10 are particular targets, though he anticipates the final week will remain "open and a bit unpredictable."
The team’s approach remains consistent with previous years: prioritizing stage-hunting and maintaining an unpredictable racing style. As Kasper Asgreen noted, the Tour offers unparalleled visibility, and the team intends to leverage that platform by remaining active at the front of the race from the opening stages.