Even in a era at times dominated by superstars like Tadej Pogačar, Mathieu van der Poel, Demi Vollering and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, cycling always has room for new talents to rise to the top.
For some in the peloton, it’s been about turning a corner and reaching new heights, while others have broke through at the first attempt, as neo-pros finding their way in the upper echelons of cycling.
Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)
Isaac del Toro actually made this list last year but if we thought 2024 was a break-out year for the young Mexican, we weren’t ready for what we were going to achieve in 2025, which was another huge step up worthy of celebrating again.
From looking like a solid talent last year, this year Del Toro almost won a Grand Tour, stepped into the top riders at UAE Team Emirates-XRG, and tallied 16 victories during the season, plus a bonus two at the revived national championships in Mexico. That was more than just confirmation of the potential he showed last year – it was a breakthrough to a completely new level.
In 2026, it’s hard to predict exactly what will be on the cards for Del Toro, but it isn’t inconceivable that he might get a proper shot at a Grand Tour campaign – rather than accidentally finding himself the leader halfway through as happened at the Giro d’Italia – but at the very least he should be given more opportunities in week-long stage races, as GC racing is clearly in his future. [MP]
Maëva Squiban (UAE Team ADQ)
To say Maëva Squiban came from nowhere in 2025 would be disingenuous, as she had already won bike races as a professional at the Tour de l’Ardèche and Extremadura Feminas, alongside finishing second on a Tour de France Femmes stage last season from the break.
But what the young French rider did on her third…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at CyclingNews RSS Feed…