Unibet Rose Rockets revelation Lukáš Kubiš raises the bar even higher for 2026

Twelve months ago we were still the only ones in the hotel lobby in Albir interested in talking with Kubis; by early 2026 the cards have been reshuffled for the Slovak. “I could’ve held a press conference, because I’ve had three requests,” he sighs. “How many would Dylan Groenewegen have? Six? Impressive, telling the same story that often,” laughs the friendly Kubis.

That characterises this block of granite from Central Europe: straightforward and unafraid of challenge. That attitude helped him ease his own step up at the start of 2025 and he finished the season with 32 top-ten finishes, from Omloop Het Nieuwsblad to the overall classification of the Tour of Holland, and two victories.

In the meantime his contract was also renegotiated. “From the moment I first joined the team in November 2024, it feels like family. This is not just a team or a company, but family. I am so grateful to the team for the chance I’ve been given and with a contract extension I could give something back. But we’re far from done, because our development still goes hand in hand,” he said.

“It’s all getting bigger and bigger. For the team, but certainly also for myself,” Kubis explains. “We raced big events and performed well there, so we also gained more visibility. That way we earned respect in the peloton and among the supporters, who supported us everywhere. And for that I am very grateful.”

Already in February the explosive Kubis stuck his head out. “In the Provence I might even have surprised myself, when I was up front with Mohoric and Pedersen. That day gave me the confidence that I can be part of the big guys, and that really set the tone for the rest of the season, as you could see in Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and all the other races.”

What’s more. “It was the first WorldTour race I’ve ridden and I finished in the top ten straight away, but even then I was disappointed. When I line up somewhere, I want to win. I’m not fighting to be sixth. But still that race brought our team a lot, because at that time there were still jokes about us as a small team,” the Slovak champion fumed. “Who made them, I don’t know. In the peloton there were complaints: that Kubis is here fighting for his place. But after Omloop they must have thought: he’s actually doing pretty well. We did earn respect there.”

Next year Kubis hopes to continue that line in the bigger races, after already getting a taste of the Hell of the North. “Roubaix was the most hectic race I’ve ridden. Before the first sector it was total chaos, even worse than the sprint in De Panne. I had bad luck myself in Arenberg, but it was still a good experience because I rode the race at full pace. That’s the big difference. You can ride those cobbles often, but in a race it’s still different.”

“Like many things that are different at the Rockets,” he added. “When I first arrived at the team in December I already noticed: this team is only going to get bigger. Not only in terms of riders, but also in terms of team managers, coaches, soigneurs and so on. If we want to ride a Grand Tour, that will have to happen too. I think management has done that well.”

What does 2026 look like for the Slovak? “I start in Castellon on the 24th. Then I go to Mallorca and then the same programme as last year, with Marseille, Bessèges, Clasica Jaén and I hope again for the Opening Weekend. In addition I would also like to focus on the Monuments. If we are allowed to ride them, I want to show myself there. In the lead-up to that period I also want to contest results in the other races.”

In doing so he wants to follow in the footsteps of an illustrious compatriot. “I’m super proud that I’ve been able to showcase the Slovak jersey on TV, a year after Peter Sagan retired. That would be nice to show also in the Tour. I’ve also been in contact with Peter, he’s a good friend. He called me a couple of times to congratulate me and give tips.”

If everything goes well, Kubis hopes to make his Tour de France debut in July. At the end of October, ahead of his holiday in Egypt, he was already present at the route presentation in Paris. “We’ve done everything we can to ride the Tour and I hope we’re well positioned. Riding the Tour is the biggest dream I have, it’s the queen of cycling. When I got to the presentation, I secretly checked out the final stage already. I love that loop, because I also did it at the Olympics. If a wildcard comes, we just have to make sure we’re ready for it.”

With the signings that Unibet Rose Rockets has made, participation seems a realistic goal. “I am so incredibly happy with men like Dylan Groenewegen, Wout Poels and Marcel Kittel at the team. I can learn a lot from them by asking questions and listening, which helps me take another step forward. They have so much experience in big races that I don’t yet have.”

Kubis therefore learns from Groenewegen, Kittel and Sagan. “But not only from them. Also from Abram Stockman, who lives near Gent–Wevelgem and knows every corner of it. And the new team leader Roger Hammond. When I spoke to him, he said he’s ridden Roubaix nine times and Flanders fourteen times. He’s such an experienced man and I’m very happy he’s with our team. I’ve already asked him plenty of questions, because that’s how I can learn things.”

“Lukas is a question machine,” laughed Groenewegen, roommate in Albir. Will we see the two of them together in races? “Dylan is the pure sprinter, I’m more a classics man. We’ll split at the start of the year mainly, but overall we have a sprint group that consists of twelve to fifteen riders. There’ll certainly be switches and we’ll race together here and there. But think about it: five years ago I watched Marcel and Dylan on TV, and now I’m at their side…”