Big surprise, or the breakthrough everyone expected? AlUla winner Voisard is no ordinary rider

Voisard only turned professional in 2023, which makes him something of a late bloomer in today’s sport. Even so, his talent was evident earlier: as an U23 rider he won a stage at the Giro Next Gen and took overall victory at the Alpes Isère Tour. Those results earned him a pro chance with Tudor Pro Cycling Team at the age of 23, and in his first season he already showed his climbing legs with 21st overall at the UAE Tour.

The highlight of his still-young career came at the Tour of Hungary, where he won stage four — until now, his only victory as a pro. That’s why this new win feels especially sweet. “It’s amazing to start the season with a win.” Voisard said in the post-stage flash interview. “I had to wait a long time for this one, because I haven’t won since Hungary two years ago. That’s why I’m really happy today.”

In the years after Hungary, Voisard repeatedly proved he can climb with the best in his category: eighth overall at the Tour of Poland, third at the Tour de Langkawi, and in 2025 he completed his first Grand Tour with 32nd in the Giro d’Italia. The feeling remained, though, that the “big” breakthrough result was still missing — until now.

Because the AlUla stage win can be called sensational not only for what he won, but how he won it. “I knew I had to wait until the final kilometre because of the headwind,” the Swiss rider explained. “That’s when I went all-in — I didn’t think about the guys behind me. I managed to get back to the three riders up front, and then I knew I could be strong on a finish like this.”