"When I look back to when I was a neo-pro, I realise how much I didn't know" - Joe Dombrowski reckons he could fill in a mentor role at whichever team signs him
Cycling
Joe Dombrowski is back in training in Nice and is still hoping to find a team for 2024, still convinced he can perform at WorldTour and Grand Tour level. The 32-year-old American's contract with Astana Qazaqstan ended this year and he was not retained as the team focused on strengthening their sprint group around Mark Cavendish.
"I know my options could be limited so later in the year but if there was an opportunity with a team, I think I can prove my worth in stage races and Grand Tours," Dombrowski told Cyclingnews. "I still love riding and racing and I'm motivated to continue racing, I think that I can continue at a high level."
"2023 wasn't a great season for me for a number of reasons but I know that my performance numbers and level are still as good as ever," he said. "Winning a stage at a Grand Tour depends on you getting into the right break, the move staying away to the finish and then you being able to win. In a certain sense, it's also about luck. Working for a team leader in stages is more of an engine room task that isn't often seen but is important to a team, too. I think I can do both roles, as well as mentoring young riders who have recently turned pro."
"I think my experience can be of value to a team," Dombrowski suggested. "When I look back to when I was a neo-pro, I realise how much I didn't know now about the sport. Now I've got the experience to understand it all and handle it all, and I'd be happy to share that with young riders. I just need a team willing to put their trust in me."
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Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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