"I can dream, can’t I?" - British rider renews with World Tour structure and dreams of home Tour de France debut
Cycling
Joshua Giddings will remain with Lotto - Intermarché for the next two seasons after extending his contract with the team through the end of 2028, in another move by the Belgian team. The 23-year-old Briton has convinced the Belgian structure with steady progress since turning professional and wants to make his Tour de France debut.
Having developed in Lotto’s development team, Giddings spent two seasons in the academy before turning pro in 2025. Since then, the track convert has mainly worked on the lead-out, although his recent performances show he can also shoulder responsibility in pursuit of his own results.
The Briton finished seventh on stage 1 of the Baloise Belgium Tour and soon after stepped up with second place on a stage of the Renewi Tour. That result was a major boost to his confidence and proved his prospects in the pro peloton go beyond working for teammates.
Confirmation came two weeks ago at the Tour of Taihu Lake, where Giddings was given the chance to sprint as Lotto’s prime option and claimed the first professional win of his career. The victory not only opened his palmarès but also sharpened his ambition for the coming seasons.
Joshua Giddings racing for Lotto-Intermarché
More prominence without abandoning team duties
“I’ve already tasted victory and I hope to add a few more wins to my palmarès over the next years,” Giddings said after confirming his renewal. The Briton believes his recent results have changed his view of the role he can play at Lotto, though he still values his responsibilities as a lead-out rider.
“I still see my role in the lead-out train as an important part of what I bring to the team, but I’ve noticed a shift over the last few months,” he noted. His seventh place at the Baloise Belgium Tour and, especially, second at the Renewi Tour were early signs he could also race for his own results.
“That last result surprised me. It gave me the confidence I needed to understand that I can do more than execute my job well for another teammate,” the Briton acknowledged on the team’s official site.
Soon after came the big leap with his win at the Tour of Lake Taihu. Giddings was handed sprint duties and delivered his first pro victory. “In a way, it was a relief. It doesn’t suddenly change the type of rider I am or the role I can play in the team, but it gives me a lot of confidence for the future,” he explained.
Tour de France in Giddings' sight
His goals are growing too. Giddings has his sights on the spring Classics and, above all, on riding a Grand Tour with specific preparation. His first experience in a three-week race came unexpectedly last season, when he received a late call-up for the Giro d’Italia.
“I dream of the spring Classics and of riding my first Grand Tour with proper preparation. Last season I was called up at the last minute for the Giro. With no specific build-up, I suddenly found myself on the start line of my first Grand Tour. I’d love to prepare fully for a race like that, as it deserves,” he said.
The Briton also has extra motivation for 2027, when the Tour de France will start in Great Britain. “The Tour will start next year in Great Britain. I’m allowed to dream, right?”
Lotto trusts the next two seasons will further develop his potential. Kurt Van de Wouwer, the team’s performance boss, highlighted how far he has come since his early days in the setup.
“Joshua arrived as a young rider from the track and we’ve seen him progress within our own structure. We know Josh’s qualities on the bike, but he’s also not afraid to devote himself completely to the team,” team manager Kurt Van de Wouwer said.
The aim is for Giddings to remain a key piece of Lotto’s lead-out while also getting more chances to sprint and chase individual victories.
Javier RampeCycling Journalist
Javier Rampe is a sports analyst with more than 15 years of experience. He holds a degree in Economics from the University of Rome and a Diploma in Business Studies from the University of Cádiz. Despite coming from an academic background not particularly associated with cycling, his passion for both cycling and journalism was instilled in him from an early age. He grew up following Miguel Indurain and José María “El Chava” Jiménez. An admirer of Michael Robinson’s communication style and journalistic approach, he was inspired to pursue a degree in Journalism at the University of Buenos Aires, which he is currently completing.
He has always maintained close ties with the worlds of sport and culture, contributing from a young age to sports blogs and film and music review websites. His work has appeared in media outlets such as Cope, RAI, and Radio Con Vos. He is also the founder of the cycling-focused podcast El Contraanálisis and the football interview channel Días De Fútbol, dedicated to conversations with professional footballers.
In addition to his work at Ciclismoaldia, Javier has interviewed some of the most influential figures in modern cycling, including Alejandro Valverde and Tadej Pogačar, as well as key voices in anti-doping policy such as Alberto Yelmo, David Varillas, and Marcelo Milano. Marcos Maynar, in relation to the ‘Operación Ílex’ case, is also among the personalities he has interviewed. He enjoys conducting in-depth analysis of the cycling ecosystem and has attended major events such as Strade Bianche, the Vuelta a Andalucía, and Itzulia, as well as numerous national cyclo-cross races.
His background in economics, combined with extensive experience in marketing and corporate communications, drives his continuous study of positioning strategies and ensures that he always keeps his focus on crafting compelling and evocative headlines.
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