ANALYSIS: 5 riders who are hoping to bounce back to form in 2025, including Wout van Aert and Tom Pidcock

The 2024 cycling season was a rollercoaster for the peloton, with many riders experiencing a range of triumphs and unexpected setbacks. While some riders reached new heights, others faced challenges that hindered their progress, and with the 2025 season now right around the corner, several of the peloton’s biggest names are eager to rebound and reestablish their name in the peloton. Here, we spotlight five riders who will be hoping to bounce back from a difficult 2024 with a strong 2025.

Tom Pidcock's decision to leave INEOS Grenadiers and join Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team for the next three seasons has been a major talking point in the cycling community this winter. As a double Olympic mountain biking champion, Tour de France stage winner, and classics specialist, Pidcock's move from a WorldTour team to a ProTeam has raised questions about his motivations and the implications for his new squad.

Q36.5's management has expressed unwavering support for Pidcock, stating, "We're giving him full leadership, trust, and faith to try and support his goals and ambitions." This endorsement suggests that Pidcock will have the freedom to tailor his race calendar and focus on events that align with his strengths. The team's commitment to backing him fully could provide the environment he needs to rediscover his top form.

It's noteworthy that Pidcock's career trajectory seemed to plateau after his sensational Tour de France stage win in 2022. At INEOS, he was overshadowed in recent years by emerging talents like Carlos Rodriguez and often appeared below his best. His coach believes that we have still not seen the best from the man from Leeds, indicating that there is untapped potential waiting to be unleashed.

The 2025 season presents an opportunity for Pidcock to rejuvenate his career. Drawing parallels with Mathieu van der Poel's success with Alpecin-Deceuninck, some have urged Pidcock to emulate this path, suggesting that a leadership role in a smaller team could reignite his passion and performance. With the full backing of Q36.5 and a renewed sense of purpose, Pidcock is poised to make a significant impact in the upcoming season.

Wout van Aert's 2024 season was marred by misfortune, with crashes disrupting his campaign and leaving lingering physical issues. Reflecting on his injuries suffered in the spring and during the Vuelta, Van Aert admitted, "Those parts of my body still require attention every day," emphasising the challenges he faced in maintaining peak performance.

Despite these setbacks, Van Aert remains resolute in his pursuit of success. His 2025 calendar is ambitious, featuring key races such as the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, Giro d'Italia, and Tour de France. This schedule reflects his determination to secure a monument win and reassert his status among the elite.

Van Aert's determination to return to his best is evident in his approach to recovery and competition. He acknowledged the mental toll of his injuries, stating, "It's hard to see that you're cycling for fun," yet he has channelled this adversity into motivation for the upcoming season. But can he return to the from we saw him in 2022, where he was on fire at the Tour de France?

The Belgian's versatility and talent on all terrains make him a formidable contender in any race he enters. With a comprehensive race program and a focus on both classics and grand tours, Van Aert is poised to make a significant impact in 2025.

Fabio Jakobsen's inaugural season with Team DSM-Firmenich PostNL fell short of expectations, with the Dutch sprinter securing only a single victory at the Tour of Turkey. Reflecting on his performance, Jakobsen acknowledged, "I feel responsible for the position I'm in," highlighting his commitment to self-improvement and accountability.

Jakobsen's challenges were multifaceted, encompassing adaptation to a new team environment, equipment, and training methodologies. He noted, "You have to get used to the new training schedule and the equipment. I had some minor setbacks, and in top-level sport they can be quite big." This transition period, coupled with the ever-evolving competitive landscape of professional cycling, posed significant hurdles.

In response to these obstacles, Jakobsen has undertaken a comprehensive reassessment of his training regimen and race strategy. He emphasised the necessity for continuous development, stating, "If you do not improve in current cycling, you will stand still and they will inevitably overtake you." This introspection has led to targeted adjustments aimed at returning him to very front in the sprints, where just a few years ago he was one of the very best.

Looking ahead to 2025, Jakobsen is resolute in his ambition to return to the front of the peloton. His focus is set on major objectives, including the Tour de France, where he aims to contest stage victories and reaffirm his status as one of the peloton's premier fast men. With a renewed mindset and strategic enhancements, Jakobsen will be desperate to rebound and achieve his goals in the upcoming season.

Juan Ayuso's 2024 season was a strange one to say the least. The young Spanish talent, who had previously showed his potential with a podium finish at the 2022 Vuelta a España, faced challenges that impeded his progress. Internal team dynamics and health issues, including a bout of illness that led to his withdrawal from the Tour de France, disrupted his campaign. Of course, the most memorable moment of his season actually came on the Galibre, when he and teammate Joao Almeida appeared to have a bust up over Ayuso’s lack of effort in supporting Tadej Pogacar.

Despite these setbacks, Ayuso remains a central figure in UAE Team Emirates' plans for 2025, and the team has announced that he will co-lead their Giro d'Italia squad alongside Adam Yates. This leadership role presents Ayuso with an opportunity to demonstrate his capabilities in a grand tour setting, free from the shadow of teammate Tadej Pogacar at last.

Ayuso's preparation for the Giro includes participation in key lead-up races such as the Tirreno-Adriatico and the Volta a Catalunya. So, will 2025 finally be the year where one of Spain’s most talented young rider realises his potential and wins a grand tour?

Tao Geoghegan Hart enters the 2025 season with much to prove. The British rider, who claimed an emphatic Giro d’Italia victory in 2020, has struggled to replicate those career-defining performances in subsequent years. Now part of Lidl-Trek, Geoghegan Hart has the backing of a team that believes in his capabilities and is looking to rejuvenate his career as he transitions into a new chapter.

Lidl-Trek has publicly declared its support for Geoghegan Hart, with team management stating that they have full confidence in him. This endorsement underscores the team’s commitment to helping him regain his form, confidence, and achieve his goals. As a key rider, Geoghegan Hart’s leadership and experience will be pivotal, particularly as Lidl-Trek eyes success in both stage races and one-day classics.

The 2024 season was another challenging one for Geoghegan Hart, filled with inconsistencies and results that fell short of expectations. However, his move to Lidl-Trek provides an opportunity to reset and refocus. With a more tailored race calendar and a team designed around supporting his strengths, Geoghegan Hart will be hoping to return to the highs of 2020. The possibility of riding alongside Jonathan Milan in the Tour de France offers an additional dynamic, with the team potentially targeting both general classification and sprint stages.

So, there you have it, five riders we think will be fighting for better years in 2025. But is there anyone we’ve missed off the list? And will any of the riders we’ve mentioned so far be successful in their quest to return to form?