Equipo Kern Pharma: The Best Ever Grand Tour Wildcard Team?

Equipo Kern Pharma entered the 2024 Vuelta a España as a wildcard team, but they have quickly become one of the most talked-about squads in the race. Their performances have been nothing short of extraordinary, making them certainly one of the most memorable wild card teams in the history of Grand Tour racing.

So just how good of a grand tour has this been for Equipo Kern Pharma, and which other wildcard teams have excelled on the big stage before?

On stage 18, Urko Berrade pulled off a stunning victory, launching a late attack to outpace the breakaway and secure a win in Maeztu-Parque Natural de Izki. This was no ordinary stage win, as it was Berrade's first-ever professional victory, achieved on home soil during a Grand Tour. The significance of this achievement cannot be overstated; for a rider to claim his first victory in such a prestigious setting is a testament to both his talent and the team’s strategy.

But Berrade's win was just the latest in a series of successes for Equipo Kern Pharma. Earlier in the race, Pablo Castrillo delivered two victories, including a remarkable triumph on the brutal ascent of Cuitu Negru during stage 15. Before the start of this Vuelta, Equipo Kern Pharma had only one stage win to their name. Now, they've quadrupled that number in a single Grand Tour—an unprecedented achievement for a wildcard team.

The team's exceptional performance will undoubtedly delight their sponsors, who have seen their investment pay off in the best possible way. For Castrillo, who has been heavily linked with a move to Ineos for the 2025 season, and Berrade, these victories could be the springboard to secure contracts with top UCI World Tour teams, allowing them to compete in more Grand Tours on a regular basis.

While the feats of Equipo Kern Pharma at the 2024 Vuelta are remarkable, they are not the first wildcard team to make headlines in a Grand Tour. So who are the other wildcard teams that have left their mark on the grand tour peloton?

As a wildcard entry, they introduced the world to the talents of Colombian climbers. Luis Herrera won the stage to Alpe d'Huez, marking the first-ever Tour stage win by a Colombian and an inspiring moment for future generations. Significantly, Herrera was also the first amateur to win a stage at the Tour de France.

A Basque team that was given a wildcard entry, they animated the race with aggressive tactics. Iban Mayo’s stage win at Alpe d'Huez was a standout moment, solidifying their place in the Tour’s history.

The Italian team made the most of their wildcard entry with consistently aggressive racing. Jonathan Restrepo's performances in breakaways and Jhonatan Narváez’s stage 12 victory made them a fan favourite.

Equipo Kern Pharma’s stunning success at the Vuelta a España 2024 will undoubtedly be remembered alongside these legendary wildcard teams. As they continue to surprise and excite fans, they are proving that even as a wildcard, they belong on cycling’s biggest stage.