Emerging Giants: Nations That Are Producing the Best Cycling Stars Right Now
CyclingTuesday, 28 October 2025 at 15:16
Cycling has entered a new era. The sport which was once ruled by a handful of European nations has now opened up to a wave of fresh talent from every corner of the world. We now see fresh stars rise from countries many fans wouldn’t have expected a decade ago. And interestingly, they are making records and rewriting what we thought we knew about the sport.
The shift is so big that even betting trends have started to follow it. Everywhere you look, whether it’s Norway, Sweden, Australia or the USA, more punters are now wagering on races more than at any other time. In fact, research conducted by the MightyTips team shows that the top betting sites in Norway are now getting as much wagers on cycling events as some mainstream sports events.
Top professionals in the betting industry like Kate Richardson also echo this narrative. They believe it is a sign of just how global the sport has become. And the nations producing today’s best young stars are proving that the next generation of champions could come from almost anywhere.
The Emerging Cycling Nations and Their Rising Stars
In recent years, some unexpected nations have risen to challenge the old guard in the cycling world. These countries are producing young stars, building solid development systems, and changing how we think about which flags dominate the podiums.
Here are a few of the nations now making waves:
1. Slovenia
It’s hard to talk about modern cycling without mentioning Slovenia. One might want to imagine how this country of such a small population managed to produce Tadej Pogačar and Primož Roglič. These two are among the sport’s biggest names.
Pogačar is not even 30 yet, and he has managed to win so many Tour de France titles. When you see him, you just can’t help but wonder at his level of versatility. His recent 2025 European Championship win shows clearly that he is far from slowing down.
The story is the same for Roglič, Matej Mohorič, and some other riders bearing the flag of the country. These men have consistently gotten results that show that Slovenia’s success isn’t a thing of luck or just a one-man story. Looking at the cycling world today, one will agree that Slovenia is a huge fish making waves in the big pond.
2. Belgium
Even though Belgium has always been known for cycling, you can bet these new generations of riders are completely different from what we used to see. Think of a rider like Remco Evenepoel and you will clearly see how much impact the country’s talents are making in the sport.
Remco has proved to the world many times that he can do it all. He is the same man that wins time trials, classics, and still manages to stand tall even in the toughest Grand Tours. His dominant 2025 European Championship time trial win reminded everyone that he’s not just Belgium’s future – he’s already their present.
Moving away from him is also someone like Jonathan Vervenne. The U23 time trial champion is a sure proof that more than ever, Belgium still has a lot of amazing talents in the pipeline.
3. Denmark
Denmark might not have entered the cycling world as early as its neighbors, but you can bet it’s fast closing the gap. While the nation might not have the decades of cycling tradition that its neighbors do, it is quickly closing the gap. Mads Pedersen and Mattias Skjelmose have turned Danish cycling into a powerhouse – one that can win on any terrain.
Pedersen, a former world champion, still remains relevant at the top level, while Skjelmose’s strong showing at the World Championships showed he has all it takes to lock horns with even the biggest names in the game.
There’s something quietly determined about Danish riders. They don’t make a lot of noise, but when it’s time to race, they show up with purpose, discipline, and heart. There’s something quietly relentless about Danish riders – they don’t just show up; they compete with precision and heart.
Every season, Denmark edges closer to becoming one of cycling’s true power nations, and the rest of the world is starting to take notice.
4. Netherlands
The Netherlands has always loved its bikes, but in recent years, Dutch riders have reminded everyone just how complete they are. Mathieu van der Poel, fresh off multiple monument wins and world titles, has been unstoppable – equally dominant on road, cyclocross, and gravel. He’s the definition of a modern cyclist.
On the women’s side, the Dutch dominance is even more impressive. There, we have Demi Vollering following closely in the footsteps of legends like Annemiek van Vleuten. The lady is actively crushing it in both the Tour de France Femmes and one-day races.
5. Italy and Spain
We may not be able to emphatically say Italy and Spain are “emerging”, but their new generation is breathing life back into the two nations that have always been known as giants in the sport. Juan Ayuso has become Spain’s brightest hope, holding his own against seasoned riders in Grand Tours and showing flashes of brilliance that recall Contador’s early days.
Italy, meanwhile, has rediscovered its spark through rising names on both road and track.
As Fausto Coppi, one of Italy’s greatest riders, once said, “Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill.”
It’s a playful reminder that experience still counts – and both nations are proving their cycling traditions aren’t fading, they’re simply evolving.
Final Thoughts: What the Road Ahead Looks Like
Cycling has always been a sport that rewards patience, endurance, and passion. And when you look at these emerging nations, they are all showing plenty of all three features. The rise of riders from these countries tells us that greatness in cycling isn’t limited by geography anymore. The sport has become more open and unpredictable than ever.
As Greg LeMond, the first American to win the Tour de France, once said, “It never gets easier, you just go faster.”
That quote perfectly sums up where cycling stands today. The bar keeps rising, and every new generation finds a way to push it higher.
Here’s what fans can expect in the next few years:
- More young riders from smaller nations breaking into major tours.
- Greater investment in youth cycling academies worldwide.
- A tighter race between traditional giants and new contenders.
- Even more global attention – and yes, more betting action – around cycling events.
The future of cycling looks brighter than ever. And with this much talent emerging, one thing’s for sure – the next great champion might already be out there, racing up a mountain we’ve never heard of yet.
The article was provided by Kate Richardson.
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Latest Comments
- Now the Palestinian protestors can stop their whining. Trump came to the rescue. So they can now STFU and go back to waving the rainbow flags.raufus15-10-2025
- Cracked the code lol. If it was that easy to 'crack the code' jonny Vegas would be charging up the Kwaremont giving Pog a dose of his medicine. Evenepoel can't match pog on a climb and neither can mvdp. Anything with a half difficult climb and Pog smashes the field. Even on flat(ish)parcours like Roubaix it came down to a mistake and crash by pog to definitively crown mvdp. MSR is the only one that Pog probably won't win.kevpt10-10-2025
- We've seen this movie before. I think Pogacar is doping.DeadBlow10-10-2025
- 👍Bea08-10-2025
- 👌🏻Bea08-10-2025
- What the data doesn't show is how much of an effect drafting had for evenepoel. Pogacar went with del toro at 100km whilst Evenepoel was still in the bunch. Despite the bike changes he still had a lot of assistance getting back to the bunch. Pogacar then rode 60km solo whilst evenepoel rode with Healy/Skjelmose until going solo in thd last 10-15km. Thats ~20% less power / energy requirements for 45-50km. Apples and oranges...kevpt30-09-2025
- 👏👏Bea24-09-2025
- Agreed! As we all know now, Juan Ayuso will be on another team. But it was sweet to see him win the stages at La Vuelta. I do love the drama of cycling admittedly but its clear to see the talent of winners of stages in a Grand Tourryhw2814fq921-09-2025
- Pogacar has no competition he has won everything, I cant imagine even being him in that position!! Crazy. I am sure he has some back up plan for how he wants to spend his retirement years at age 30 onward. Does he like beer? Plenty of innovation in brewing. And you don't have to be super social. Chapeau/Cheers whatever you like Tadej you will do.ryhw2814fq921-09-2025
- Plus its confirmed that the Philadelphia Cycling Classic up the Manayunk Wall is back for 2026! hooray for thatryhw2814fq918-09-2025
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