Norwegian cyclist
Odd Christian Eiking, a seasoned puncheur,
will be joining Unibet Tietema Rockets for the 2025 season. The 29-year-old,
hailing from Stord, Norway, transitions to the French team after spending 2024
with
Uno-X Mobility. With a solid history in the professional peloton, Eiking
brings experience and the potential to bolster his new team's aspirations on
the world stage.
Eiking is no stranger to top-tier racing, having competed in
the Tour de France twice during his career. He first participated in 2019 and
made his return this year, finishing a respectable 34th. However, his best
Grand Tour performance came in the 2021 Vuelta a España. During that race,
Eiking captured the most media attention of his career when he wore the
prestigious red jersey as the overall leader for six days. He eventually
finished 11th in the general classification, showcasing his grand tour
potential.
Eiking’s professional journey has taken him across several
teams, including stints with EF Education-EasyPost and Intermarché-Wanty.
Despite his clear talent, he has struggled to find a long-term home in the
peloton, with frequent team changes marking his career, most recently, he raced
for Uno-X Mobility, where he continued to deliver consistent performances.
For Unibet Tietema Rockets, signing Eiking represents a
significant step in their ambitions to climb the UCI Team Rankings. The team
finished 34th in 2024, well outside the top 30 required to qualify for the 2026
Tour de France. However, the addition of Eiking, with his proven ability to
perform on challenging courses and his experience in WorldTour events, could be
a game-changer.
With Eiking on board, the French team will be looking to
bridge the considerable gap to 30th place in the rankings. His potential to
secure valuable UCI points, particularly in hilly one-day races and stage
races, could make him the perfect signing going in to 2025.