ANALYSIS | Who Was the Best Breakthrough Rider from the 2024 Grand Tour Season?

Saturday, 14 September 2024 at 10:53

As the dust settles on the 2024 Grand Tour season, the cycling world is left reflecting on another summer of thrilling races, intense battles, and standout performances. While the likes of Tadej Pogačar, Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel, and Primoz Roglic dominated the headlines, there was a quieter revolution happening beneath the surface. A new generation of young riders is emerging, proving that the future of professional cycling is as bright as ever.

This article focuses on the young guns who have flown somewhat under the radar—those who have quietly impressed with their performances and shown glimpses of what they might achieve in the years to come. And before anyone asks, no, Remco Evenepoel does not count for this discussion. Despite still being young, the Belgian is already established as a top-tier rider, so we’re looking at some of those who have yet to fully take the spotlight but are well on their way.

Mattias Skjelmose

One of the standout young riders of the 2024 season was Mattias Skjelmose. The 23-year-old Danish rider from Lidl-Trek has been gradually building a name for himself in the pro peloton, and his performance in the Vuelta a España this year was nothing short of remarkable.

Skjelmose began the Vuelta with a rocky start, struggling in the early stages and losing valuable time that saw him drop down the general classification. However, what followed was an impressive show of resilience and strategic racing. Skjelmose kept his cool, made very few mistakes, and slowly but surely began to climb up the leaderboard. By the time the race reached its final week, the Danish dynamo had worked his way into the top five, a testament to his strength and tactical acumen.

Mattias Skjelmose at the 2024 Vuelta a España. @Sirotti

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Skjelmose’s Vuelta was his performance in the final week. While many riders were flagging after three gruelling weeks of racing, Skjelmose seemed to only get stronger. His 8th place in the final time trial was a clear indicator of his potential as a future Grand Tour contender. But it wasn’t just the top-five finish that had people talking—Skjelmose also took home the white jersey as the best young rider in the race, edging out fierce competition from the likes of Florian Lipowitz of BORA-Hansgrohe and Carlos Rodríguez of INEOS Grenadiers.

Skjelmose’s success at the Vuelta was the culmination of a season that has seen him quietly make serious progress in the peloton. Earlier in the year, he finished fourth overall at Paris-Nice, which included a memorable stage win on the sixth day. He also placed third in the general classification at the Itzulia Basque Country, further solidifying his reputation as one of the most promising young talents in the sport. After finishing 29th at the 2023 Tour de France, his performance at this year’s Vuelta was undoubtedly his best to date. Lidl-Trek will be thrilled to have him under contract until at least 2026, and the rest of the cycling world will be keeping a close eye on his development in the coming years.

Biniam Girmay

When researching for this article, I was stunned to discover that Biniam Girmay is still just 24 years old. The Eritrean rider has already achieved so much in his young career, and his 2024 season was nothing short of historic. Girmay made history at the 2024 Tour de France, becoming the first Black African rider to ever win a stage of cycling’s most iconic race. But he didn’t stop there—Girmay went on to win three stages in total and claimed the coveted green jersey as the winner of the points classification.

Girmay’s success at the Tour was a monumental achievement, not just for himself but for African cycling as a whole. He was given a hero’s welcome upon his return to Eritrea, where thousands of fans gathered to celebrate his achievements. Girmay’s victories were not only historic but also inspiring, showing young African cyclists that they, too, can compete at the highest level of the sport.

Girmay’s sprinting prowess and ability to navigate the chaos of the peloton in the final kilometres make him a formidable competitor, and his rivalry with Jasper Philipsen, the dominant sprinter of 2023, promises to be one of the most exciting storylines in the years to come.

Girmay’s achievements at such a young age are extraordinary, and his impact on the sport transcends results. He is a trailblazer and an inspiration to millions, and there is little doubt that he will continue to make history in the years to come.

Read also

ANALYSIS: What Went Wrong for Sepp Kuss in La Vuelta 2024?

Antonio Tiberi

The 2024 Giro d’Italia seems like a distant memory now, but for Antonio Tiberi, it was a breakout performance that announced his arrival on the big stage. The 22-year-old Italian rider was one of the standout performers of the first Grand Tour of the season, showcasing his talent and consistency in a race that is often brutal for even the most experienced riders.

In his debut Giro, Tiberi rode with a maturity and poise that belied his age. He finished 5th in the general classification, an extraordinary result for a rider so young. In doing so, he also claimed the white jersey as the best young rider of the race, a fitting reward for his efforts over the three-week slog through Italy.

Tiberi’s Giro was marked by consistent performances, particularly in the mountains, where he held his own against some of the best climbers in the world. His ability to stay with the leaders on the toughest stages was impressive, and his tactical awareness in the peloton showed that he is more than just a talented rider—he is a thinking rider, capable of making smart decisions in the heat of the moment.

Unfortunately, Tiberi’s season took a turn for the worse at the Vuelta a España, where he was leading the young rider classification until stage 9. The extreme heat that plagued several stages of the Vuelta took its toll on Tiberi, and he was forced to abandon the race due to heat stroke. It was a disappointing end to what had been a promising season, but Tiberi will no doubt use the experience to come back stronger in 2025.

Despite the setback at the Vuelta, Tiberi’s future remains incredibly bright. He has shown that he has the talent, determination, and resilience to compete at the highest level, and with a few more years of experience under his belt, he could become one of the leading Grand Tour contenders of his generation.

Read also

Thijs Zonneveld argues possible transfer destinations for Remco Evenepoel - "You shouldn't go to UAE-Team Emirates, because that's where Tadej Pogacar is"

Derek Gee

Now for a bit of a wildcard, and no he’s not officially a ‘young rider,’ but just how impressive was Derek Gee? The 26-year-old Canadian rider has been quietly building a reputation as a tough and versatile competitor, and his 2024 season was a breakthrough year for him. After making waves with his impressive performances at the 2023 Giro d’Italia, Gee took another big step forward at the 2024 Critérium du Dauphiné, where he won a stage and finished on the podium in the general classification.

Gee’s success at the Dauphiné was followed by an even more impressive showing at his first-ever Tour de France. The Canadian finished in the top 10 of the general classification, an extraordinary achievement for a rider who was making his debut in the race. Over the course of three weeks, Gee displayed remarkable consistency, managing to stay near the top of the leaderboard while also finding opportunities to attack and get into breakaways.

Derek Gee at the 2024 Tour de France. @Sirotti

One of Gee’s standout moments came on the gravel stage of the Tour, where he managed to slip into a breakaway and take a podium result on the day. His ability to navigate the chaos of such a stage, combined with his consistent performances throughout the race, showed that he is more than capable of handling the pressures of a Grand Tour.

There were some question marks about whether Gee’s performance at the Dauphiné was a ‘one-off,’ but his showing at the Tour de France put those doubts to rest. Gee proved that he is a legitimate GC rider, capable of competing with the best over three weeks of intense racing. His top-10 finish at the Tour was a testament to his strength, resilience, and tactical awareness.

Looking ahead, Gee’s future in the sport seems bright. He has shown that he can compete at the highest level, and with the experience he has gained this season, he will be even better prepared for the challenges to come. Whether he can take the next step and challenge for a podium spot in a Grand Tour remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Derek Gee is a rider to watch in the coming years.