The decision by Team Ineos (open in new tab) to remove Chris Froome (open in new tab) and Geraint Thomas (open in new tab) from the Tour de France (open in new tab) has taken the British team's biggest rival for the yellow jersey Jumbo Visma (open in new tab) has reacted with surprise.

Until today, both teams will go into the Tour with three leaders, with Froome, Thomas, and reigning champion Egan Bernal (open in new tab) leading the Ineos, and Primos Roglic (open in new tab), Steven Kruijswijk, and Tom Dumoulin were to lead Jumbo-Visma.

Zeman said the team hoped the two Tour winners would form part of the leadership trio that would be known as the Ineos Grenadiers.

"No, it was a surprise for us," Zeman told Cycling News on Wednesday morning. 'No, it was a surprise for us. But it's hard to judge from afar. Every team has its own approach

"For us, too, we didn't draw many conclusions from the Dauphiné. It is possible that they already have a plan. So it will be exciting. We will just have to wait and see."

2019 Giro d'Italia winner Richard Karapas (open in new tab), who was set to defend his title in October, was an unexpected addition to the Tour squad. In addition to the predictable additions of Jonathan Castroviejo, Michał Kwiatkowski, Pavel Sivakov, Dylan Van Baarle, and Luke Rowe, Andrei Amador was also added to the team.

With two reigning Grand Tour champions, a rising GC star in Sivakov, and a number of top domestiques, the Ineos team appears hardly weakened by the loss of Froome and Thomas. Zeman expressed the same view, praising the depth of the British team.

"Normally you would say they are not strong because these two guys (Froome and Thomas = editor's note) are world-class riders. So I think they are a very strong team," Zeman said.

"The replacements for Froome and Thomas are impressive riders, but of course they are also surprises. This time of year after the Corona break, every team is making plans during the winter, but it is clear that the final decision will be made a week before the Tour de France. During the preparation period, anything can happen.

"They have made their choice and I think they are a big team with very strong riders. With this group of riders they will be able to fight for the yellow."

Zeman said the changes will certainly change the dynamics and strategy of the race. Zeman, a Dutchman, said that Ineos will now focus on Bernal's chances rather than sharing the leader. Sivakov only finished ninth in last year's Giro, and Karapas is presumed to be training to peak at this year's Giro.

"Of course it depends on the strategy. Normally I would expect some of my opponents to take a three-way strategy, but right now I will probably concentrate on Bernal. Of course, that changes the strategy.

"First, we have to see exactly how they will race. They won't tell us, but it depends on the role of Sivakov and Karapas. I think we will find that out during the race."

While Ineos based his decision on form and tactics, Jumbo Visma may yet make his own changes. Co-leader Steven Kruijswijk (open in new tab), who finished third in last year's Tour, suffered a dislocated shoulder and a cut on his elbow after crashing in stage 4 of the Criterium du Dauphiné (open in new tab).

As a result, the Dutch rider is in a race against time to recover in time for the Tour, and Jumbo-Visma may be forced to call in a reserve rider, Zeman said. Roglic, who also crashed and later abandoned the race, is also on the mend, although he suffered a sore hip and a road rash.

Zeman said of Kruijswijk, "It will depend in a few days. Steven had a really bad crash. He has some scratches and his shoulder is sore. He's training a little bit and trying to recover. We'll be able to make a decision over the weekend. Of course he has to recover too, but we are optimistic about his recovery.

"We have several riders standing by. We are considering all options this week and analyzing everyone's physical condition. That's something we'll consider for next week. There are several options and we will be looking internally at Steven and possible riders to replace him."

Climber and superdomestique Lawrence De Plus has been rumored to be moving to Ineos in 2021 and would normally step up if the leader drops out, but he is not included in the waiting list of riders if Kruiwisk does not make it, Zeman said.

"He hasn't recovered yet. He's still not recovered. He's slowly recovering, but he's definitely not ready to participate. He is by far the best to participate, but unfortunately he is not recovered yet. We hope he will participate in the Giro, but he is not ready to take part in the Tour."