Tadej Pogacar’s dominance in the world of professional cycling has firmly cemented his place as one of the sport’s brightest stars. The young Slovenian, who burst onto the scene in 2020 with his shock victory in the Tour de France at just 21 years old, has since become a household name, consistently challenging and overcoming some of the sport’s biggest names. His twin victories in the Tour de France, along with a string of prestigious wins, have raised the bar for what is expected from modern cyclists.
However, with each passing year, a new generation of riders is emerging, hungry for glory and hoping to carve their names in the same pantheon as the likes of Pogacar, Chris Froome, and Alberto Contador. In particular, five young cyclists stand out as the rough diamonds of the peloton—undeniably talented, with the potential to follow in Pogacar’s footsteps and perhaps even surpass his achievements.
Let’s take a closer look at these five riders who, like Pogacar, have big dreams of donning the yellow jersey of the Tour de France and becoming cycling’s next superstar.
1. Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) – The Future of Spanish Cycling
When we talk about future Tour de France champions, it is impossible not to mention Juan Ayuso, a prodigious talent from Spain. At just 20 years old, Ayuso has already made a significant impact on the world of cycling. Like Tadej Pogacar, Ayuso is part of UAE Team Emirates, the same team that Pogacar has turned into a powerhouse in the grand tours. His success at such a young age has drawn inevitable comparisons to Pogacar’s early rise to prominence.
Ayuso’s impressive performance at the 2022 Vuelta a España, where he finished in the top 10 and showed his ability to compete with the best in the world, has firmly placed him on the radar of cycling enthusiasts. His versatility as a rider, able to handle both the high-mountain stages and the intense, fast-paced racing in the sprints, gives him a well-rounded skillset that could make him a future contender for the yellow jersey.
Much like Pogacar’s early rise in the sport, Ayuso has already shown that he has the mental strength to compete in cycling’s toughest races. His poise and composure, even in high-pressure situations, have been key factors in his rapid development. As his experience grows and he continues to race against the world’s best, it’s only a matter of time before Ayuso contends for a grand tour win.
With his breakthrough performances and his role at UAE Team Emirates, Ayuso has the right team behind him, and if he continues to develop as expected, the future looks incredibly bright for him.
2. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) – A Belgian Wonder
Remco Evenepoel’s rise to prominence has been nothing short of spectacular. The Belgian rider, who turned professional with Soudal-QuickStep in 2019, has already accomplished feats that many riders would dream of in their entire careers. His victory at the 2022 Vuelta a España was a monumental achievement, confirming his potential as one of the sport’s next great stage race leaders.
Evenepoel’s style of racing is often compared to Pogacar’s in terms of his aggressive approach and fearless nature. While he is known for his time-trialling abilities, Evenepoel has also shown he can handle the brutal mountain stages that are often decisive in the Tour de France. He has also proved his capacity to handle the pressure in high-profile races, which bodes well for his future in the grand tours.
His 2023 season was a revelation. He won the Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the World Road Race Championship, adding prestigious one-day victories to his already impressive list of achievements. As a versatile rider who is just as capable on the climbs as he is against the clock, Evenepoel possesses all the attributes necessary to win the Tour de France in the future.
Despite his relatively young age (he’s only 23), Evenepoel’s maturity in racing and his fearless mentality have set him apart from many of his peers. He has all the right tools to challenge Pogacar’s supremacy, and with time, his career could see him dominate cycling’s biggest stages.
3. Enric Mas (Movistar) – Spain’s Last Hope for a Grand Tour Winner?
While much of the focus in Spanish cycling has shifted to young talents like Ayuso, Enric Mas remains one of the most consistent performers in the grand tours. Mas, 28, has consistently finished in the top 10 of both the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España over the past few years, but has yet to capture the elusive victory in a grand tour. He finished second in the 2018 Vuelta a España, a result that solidified his place among the sport’s rising stars.
Although Mas has often been overshadowed by other riders in the peloton, he is still seen as one of the few riders who could one day challenge Pogacar for Tour de France supremacy. Mas’s ability to perform in the high mountains and his solid time-trialing capabilities make him a well-rounded rider. His experience at the top level of cycling, combined with his consistent performances in both the Vuelta and the Giro d’Italia, suggests that he could be poised for a breakthrough moment.
However, there are still doubts over whether Mas can consistently challenge Pogacar in the grand tours. His form in the Tour de France has never been as strong as it has been in the Vuelta, but if he continues to develop and learn from his experiences, there is no reason why he cannot be a serious contender for the yellow jersey in the near future.
4. David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) – France’s Hope for Glory
French cycling has been in a drought for grand tour victories since Bernard Hinault’s last win in 1985. In the years since, many French riders have come close but have not been able to clinch the coveted yellow jersey. David Gaudu, 26, could be the rider to finally end this drought.
Gaudu’s breakthrough performance came in 2021 when he finished fourth in the Tour de France, an impressive result for a rider who had not yet entered his prime. His strong climbing abilities, especially in the high mountains, make him a natural contender for the yellow jersey in any grand tour. Gaudu’s aggressive riding style, combined with his tenacity and natural gift for the mountains, makes him a rider who could potentially challenge Pogacar for future Tour de France titles.
In the 2022 Tour de France, Gaudu showed his promise by finishing in the top 10 once again and establishing himself as one of France’s most exciting young talents. His ability to race on the biggest stages, coupled with his consistency in the mountains, suggests that he could be ready to challenge for a podium finish in future Tours.
With the support of Groupama-FDJ behind him, Gaudu has the team infrastructure to back up his ambitions. If he can stay injury-free and continue to improve his time-trialing ability, Gaudu could one day become a legitimate contender for the yellow jersey.
5. Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers) – A Rider for All Terrains
Tom Pidcock is one of the most versatile riders on the current professional cycling circuit. A former mountain bike world champion, Pidcock has transitioned seamlessly to road cycling, where he has demonstrated a remarkable ability to perform across various disciplines, from the cobbled classics to the steep climbs of grand tours.
While his results in grand tours have yet to reach the level of some of his peers, Pidcock’s natural abilities, combined with his aggressive riding style, suggest that he could one day become a major contender for the Tour de France. His victory in the 2022 Olympic Games, as well as his top performances in the 2023 season, highlight his potential.
Pidcock’s natural talent on any terrain, combined with his fearless attitude towards racing, make him a rider who could one day challenge Pogacar’s dominance. While he is still young (he’s only 24), Pidcock’s rapid development in road racing suggests that his time will come sooner rather than later. With Ineos Grenadiers providing him with top-tier support, the only thing holding Pidcock back from Tour de France glory is experience.
Can They Surpass Pogacar?
The young stars of the peloton mentioned above are certainly ones to watch in the coming years. While Tadej Pogacar’s dominance of cycling’s grandest stage is impressive, the riders mentioned in this article have the potential to challenge his supremacy in the Tour de France.
Each of these riders has unique qualities that could one day propel them to the top of the podium in Paris. Whether it’s Ayuso’s composure, Evenepoel’s aggressive nature, Mas’s consistency, Gaudu’s climbing prowess, or Pidcock’s versatility, the future of cycling looks incredibly promising.
It remains to be seen if any of these riders can dethrone Pogacar, but one thing is certain—the next generation of riders is coming, and they are ready to take on the challenge. For cycling fans, this new wave of talent offers an exciting future filled with potential and possibility.