2024-11-25 15:02:00
With the end of the season comes the time to take stock and, in this context, the names of some riders forced to improve in 2025 are exposed because much more was expected from them.
It is clear that each case has a context and that, as is usual in this editorial team, more is expected of the best, even when in a linear sense their numbers say the opposite. Therefore, more than one will be surprised by the illustrious surnames included here, while others are obvious and expected by most.
It is worth clarifying that they are not listed in a specific order:
*Davide Gaudu:
The Frenchman retained the absolute honors of the Groupama after his 4th place in the 2022 Tour, to the point of practically forcing the departure of a historic player like Arnaud Démare and forcing the team to take a block completely dedicated to him for the big races subsequent ones. However, he once again fell short. And although he was 9th in 2023, he completely failed in 2024. The worst thing is that his own words buried him, because in front of the Dauphiné he announced that he would go up on the podium, to “be the best of mortals”. It was the last news from him for months, as he suffered at the Grande Boucle, where he finished almost four hours behind. Then he said he got sick, but that doesn’t take him off the list. Luckily for him and Madiot, his boss, he found sensation again at the Vuelta a España. He finished sixth and happy, which should not be obscured by the forest given that the level is infinitely lower than that of the Tour. The climber will have to make a lot of progress if he wants to get back up.
* Without van Aert:
Being in good health, he was almost forced to improve because he failed in the objectives, the Monuments, where his nemesis shone: Van der Poel. I had changed my preparation and calendar for spring 2024 and the accident prevented us from checking whether that would be the time. We will have to wait until 2025, even if he was recovering the image of his best version at the Vuelta. Already in 2023 it had not been the same as always, so next year – which turns 30 – will be crucial for one of the leaders of Visma Lease a Bike. Don’t be fooled: he is a franchise runner and only the best is expected from him.
*Tom Pidcock:
Name sung, the Brit earns a star salary and didn’t act like one. It generated multiple controversies throughout the year, even though the chaos at INEOS justified many things. He announced that he would prepare for the Tour and then he didn’t, he took the start and abandoned shortly after. Apart from the flashes at Strade and the victory at Amstel, he has never been ahead in the classics. For a team like the English one those results count for nothing, and the Olympic title in Mountain Bike counts for little. Imagine that in Soudal they did not receive any entry for the Evenepoel medals in Paris and went on a trip. Tom needs to stop attracting attention, or at least because of what his legs show, going back to being the same as he was a couple of campaigns ago.
*Caleb Ewan:
One of the biggest failures of the season: he comes out in conflict with Lotto, signs for the home team and receives stripes and a card dedicated to him. He barely raised his arms in a couple of smaller races and hardly made it into the top 10 where he was really expected, like the Giro d’Italia. Difficult situation for a sprinter who has been able to be at the top and who also
*Magnus Cort:
The Dane had become a specialist in chasing stages at top-level events, especially at the Tour de France. He left EF to manage the UN He barely celebrated a day at the Dauphiné and, although winning is complex, the disappointment was because he practically did not have the legs to go on the run. The level of the Tour is very high and anyone who does not evolve accordingly is excluded. In the latest edition it was exhibited with him and many others.
*Simon Yates:
After being 4th in the 2023 Grande Boucle (he also fought in Paris, Nice, Down Under and in several classics such as Lombardy), the Briton did not perform as expected of an overall leader. The AlUla Tour is nothing for a cyclist of his stature, who also raced the French tour unhappy with his bosses because they had practically organized his exit. Not only was Yates not the reliable acrobat of the previous edition, but he was not even the brilliant climber and stage chaser of other years. Because he has spread throughout the different seasons, fighting for the title or looking for partials. Nothing. He arrives at Visma, where he will be able to relaunch his career, but also pay for the year of adaptation.
*Filippo Ganna:
In the midst of a revolution within INEOS, it is not at all surprising that the Italian announced that he would give up the track. Ganna didn’t fare badly, but he was far from the man who won every time trial he started in. Although he gave that honour to a 60 kilo rider like Evenepoel, “Pippo” also neglected other aspects of cycling and was not the one who knew how to fight or even win mountain stages. He didn’t even fight in the classics, as happened in 2023 when he finished 2nd in San Remo or 6th in Roubaix. He is a very versatile athlete who has not yet decided his path, he is 28 years old and has two more years left on his contract, so for the training it is essential that he takes a step forward.
*Ivan Sosa:
His name is not surprising in this list because for a couple of seasons he has been forced to improve, and he hasn’t succeeded. His credit at Movistar is over and he has signed for the Vuelta’s revelation team, the modest Kern Pharma, which wants to support him as leader. We’ll see if the step back will help him return to what he once showed, when he came to shine alongside Egan Bernal as one of the best climbers in the world. As for his season, he was only 7th in the Tour Colombia and 9th in the Tour de los Alpes. End of six World Tour campaigns (three in INEOS and three with the Spanish), although in his favor, he has just turned 27.
Pablo Palermo
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What challenges do professional cyclists face that impact their performance during a season?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Cycling Expert
Editor: Welcome to this special segment of Time.news! Today, we’re delving into the world of professional cycling as we reflect on the season that’s just concluded and what’s ahead for certain riders in 2025. I’m joined by renowned cycling analyst, Dr. Elena Rossi. Thank you for being here, Elena!
Dr. Rossi: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss the intricacies of the cycling world, especially at such a pivotal time.
Editor: Let’s jump right in. This season has certainly shown us some unexpected outcomes. Davide Gaudu, for instance—his journey has been particularly turbulent. He started off strong with a fourth place in 2022 but fell short in 2023 and 2024. What do you think went wrong for him, and what does he need to focus on moving forward?
Dr. Rossi: Gaudu’s trajectory has been quite telling. After his promising 2022 season, expectations skyrocketed, and that sort of pressure can be a double-edged sword. The buzz around his podium promise at the Dauphiné set high expectations that he ultimately couldn’t fulfill. Illness during the Tour also played a significant role. Moving forward, he must concentrate on resilience and consistency in his performance, especially at major tours.
Editor: That makes sense. Another notable rider is Wout van Aert. He faced significant challenges this year due to health issues, previously having a stellar reputation. With 2025 marking a crucial year for him, what’s at stake?
Dr. Rossi: For van Aert, it’s a matter of reclaiming his position as a top contender. His absence during significant races due to injury was painful for both him and his fans. If he can recover fully and return to form, he’ll not only have to compete against Van der Poel but also establish his dominance in Monuments and Grand Tours. 2025 needs to be about regaining that competitive edge.
Editor: Tom Pidcock has also faced criticism for not living up to his potential this season. He started with great enthusiasm but then seemed to lose focus. What do you make of his situation?
Dr. Rossi: Tom’s situation is complex. While he’s undeniably talented, his lack of commitment to a focused training regimen and his strategic decisions during races have drawn scrutiny. I see a need for him to recalibrate his approach—focusing on consistent training and performance, rather than the distractions that come with fame. He has the potential to shine again if he channels his energies effectively.
Editor: Speak of potential, Caleb Ewan had a rough season with significant struggles. After his move to Lotto, what went wrong for him, and how can he regain his former glory?
Dr. Rossi: Ewan’s transition has certainly raised eyebrows. His lack of significant wins points to both physical performance and perhaps team dynamics being off. Sprinting is an intensely competitive category, and Ewan needs to capitalize on opportunities strategically. He should focus on collaborating closely with his team, refining his sprint tactics, and building a more strategic race calendar going into 2025.
Editor: And let’s not overlook Simon Yates, who had his ups and downs this year after a promising 2023. What must he do to get back into contention?
Dr. Rossi: Yates’ performance this season is a reflection of the broader challenges within his team and his own inconsistent form. To relaunch his career at Visma, he must regain the confidence he showed previously. Focus on solid training to reclaim his climbing skills and managing race strategies within a team dynamic will be key.
Editor: It sounds like next season will be pivotal for so many riders! Lastly, let’s talk about Filippo Ganna—after a revolutionary season at INEOS, how can he define his path moving forward?
Dr. Rossi: Ganna is a fascinating athlete, but his hesitance to fully commit to a specific discipline can be detrimental. If he can harness his time-trial expertise while also developing in stage races, he could become a multifaceted threat. He needs clarity in his goals and to excel in areas where he previously dominated. A solid performance in both track and road cycling could set him up for success and keep his versatility sharp.
Editor: Thank you, Elena, for your insights into the challenges these riders face and how they can emerge stronger. It certainly sets the stage for an exciting 2025 season!
Dr. Rossi: Thank you! I look forward to seeing how these athletes develop and what the next season holds.
Editor: And to our viewers, thank you for joining us! Stay tuned for more updates and expert analyses as we follow the ever-evolving world of professional cycling.