ANALYSIS: As British cycling enters a new era, who are their 5 top riders? Including Pidcock, Tarling and more

The 2025 cycling season is set to be a vital year for British cycling, as the country moves towards a new era of racing. It’s fair to say that the last few years have seen a huge change in British cycling, most notably with the once-dominant INEOS Grenadiers suffering a brutally challenging 2024 season that saw the team pick up just one grand tour win.

The departure of key riders, including Tom Pidcock, has further intensified the need for a change in culture at INEOS. Pidcock's move to Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team is perhaps the perfect embodiment of how much things have changed in British cycling since the 2010s.

Adding to the transformation, broadcasting giants ITV and Eurosport have lost the rights to air the Tour de France . This change raises concerns about the accessibility of the sport for British audiences, potentially impacting fan engagement and the sport's growth at the most basic level. The absence of familiar voices and coverage styles may lead to a disconnect for long-time followers of the Tour, which could be a long term disaster.

Compounding these changes is the retirement of the legendary Mark Cavendish, who bid farewell to professional cycling at the end of 2024. Cavendish's departure leaves a void in British sprinting and a legacy that has inspired countless young cyclists, but it is now time for them to step up.

In this article, we’re going to take a look at who are the riders charged with waving the British flag. Some are already right towards the sharp end of the peloton, whereas others will be hoping to stamp their authority on the sport this year.

Let’s start with the most obvious name on the list. The man who has been the topic of drama and debate this winter: Tom Pidcock.

At 25, Tom Pidcock is one of the most talented riders to come out of Great Britain, with accolades spanning multiple disciplines. His decision to leave INEOS Grenadiers and join Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team during the off-season was unexpected, especially considering Q36.5's status outside the WorldTour, meaning he’ll need a wildcard for any major races.

This move, however, appears to be about gaining more control within the team (which he would never get at INEOS) and building the squad around him.

Pidcock's tenure with INEOS turned sour towards the end, and he never really kicked on from his Tour de France 2022 stage win. Now outside the spotlight of INEOS, Pidcock has a second chance.

Despite initial scepticism about joining a ProTeam, Pidcock's impact has been immediate at Q36.5. He secured victories in two stages and clinched the General Classification at the AlUla Tour, and these performances not only boost his confidence but also enhance Q36.5's reputation, potentially increasing their invitations to the most important races.

Notably, Pidcock won’t be at 2025 Tour de France, aiming to return better than ever before at the 2026 edition. And with Q36.5, Pidcock will be able to put more time into other disciplines, while also finding his form again on the road.

It must be said that Pidcock is no longer one of the youngest riders in the peloton, and he needs to stamp his authority quicker than some of the others on this list. But, so far, his winter move looks like it is paying off.

Joshua Tarling, the 21-year-old Welsh prodigy, has rapidly ascended in the world of professional cycling. His early career was marked by a bronze medal in the 2023 World Championship Time Trial and a near-victory over reigning world champion Remco Evenepoel at the Critérium du Dauphiné last year.

The latter part of 2024 season, however, presented unforeseen challenges. Tarling faced a series of setbacks, including a crash that forced him to abandon his first Grand Tour, the Vuelta a Espana, and narrowly missing podium finishes in both the Olympic and World Championship Time Trials. The Olympics was particularly cruel on Tarling, as he missed out on the podium because of the worst time puncture of his young career.

But, these hardships could be the making of Tarling.

Entering 2025 with renewed determination, Tarling has already started strong by winning the time trial at the UAE Tour, clocking an impressive average speed of 56.67 km/h over a 12.2 km course. He beat none other than Tadej Pogacar in doing so too!

As Tarling continues to evolve, his journey will no doubt have some more bumps on the road. His ability to rebound from the setbacks of last summer, and achieve early-season success suggests he has the metal to be one of the best, and he’s definitely one we’ll be watching closely this year.

At just 18, Cat Ferguson has emerged as one of British cycling's most versatile and promising talents. Hailing from Skipton, Yorkshire, Ferguson's 2024 season was superb, as she clinched two World Junior Championship gold medals on the track, but she wasn’t done there as she went on to secure both the road race and time trial titles at the World Junior Road Championships in Zurich.

Think Ferguson is ‘just’ a track and road specialist? Nope, she’s also one of the very best talents on a cyclocross and mountain bike too.

In early 2025, Ferguson continued her rise by winning the team relay gold at the Cyclocross World Championships in France. Her transition to the professional ranks was helped by a stagiaire role with Movistar Team in 2024, leading to a full-time contract in 2025.

Despite her rapid rise, Ferguson remains grounded and is expecting her journey to the front of the peloton to take some time. But there’s no denying the fact that Cat Ferguson is by far one of the most talented riders on this list.

At just 22 years old, Oscar Onley has emerged as one of the most exciting young British climbers. Hailing from the Scottish Borders, Onley currently rides for Team Picnic PostNL and has already made a name for himself with strong performances in some of the biggest races on the calendar.

His breakthrough moment came in 2023 when he played a crucial role in his team’s victory in a team time trial (TTT) stage at the Vuelta a Espana. In 2024, Onley made his Tour de France debut and finished 39th in the general classification, a decent result that prooved his ability to endure the demands of a three-week race.

He has started 2025 in excellent form, finishing fourth overall at the Tour Down Under, and his ability to perform well early in the season suggests that he is on track for another strong year. As a climber, Onley has already found himself competing against some of the best in the world. Recently, he finished second behind Tadej Pogacar on the Jebel Jais climb in UAE, showing he can mix it with the very best.

If Onley continues to progress at his current rate, he could soon be a key contender in week-long stage races and, eventually, in the mountains of the Grand Tours. Onley was also the highest place British rider at the road world championships in Zurich last year, and he was the winner of the Youth Classification at the Tour of Britain.

Another young British rider making waves is Joseph Blackmore. At 22 years old, the Israel-Premier Tech rider had something of a breakout season in 2024, winning the Tour du Rwanda, the Tour de l'Avenir, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège Espoirs. These results have established him as one of the most promising talents in British cycling, with a particularly bright future in stage races and hilly one-day races.

Winning the Tour de l’Avenir is particularly significant, make no mistake. Often referred to as the "Mini Tour de France," this race has historically been a proving ground for future Grand Tour winners. Previous winners include Egan Bernal, Tadej Pogacar, and Nairo Quintana, all of whom have gone on to win grand tours.

Could Britian have a grand tour winner on their hands with Blackmore? His success in the Tour de l’Avenir suggests that British fans have something to get excited over, and he could become a serious player in the coming years.

Blackmore is no one dimensional rider either, and this was further demonstrated by his fourth-place finish at Brabantse Pijl, a semi-classic known for its punchy climbs and aggressive racing. This result suggests that, in addition to his talent in stage races, Blackmore has the potential to compete in the Ardennes Classics and other hilly one-day races.

With his ability to perform in a variety of race formats, 2025 could be another breakthrough season as he takes on bigger races and continues his development at the WorldTour level. Blackmore is another top rider to watch.

With British cycling entering a period of transition, these five riders represent the sport’s next generation. Tom Pidcock, Joshua Tarling, Cat Ferguson, Oscar Onley, and Joseph Blackmore all have the potential to shape the future of British cycling in different ways. Over to you.