Cycling’s new wave: the 10 breakout riders that defined 2025

Isaac del Toro was crowned Male Breakthrough Rider at the 2025 Domestique Awards after a simply superb season that saw him rack up win after win in the second half of the year. That run came after heartbreak at the Giro d’Italia in May, where cruel luck robbed him of a defining result.

Not many riders would have been able to move past such a setback, let alone respond with the kind of ferocity the Mexican displayed. Del Toro bounced back with a string of victories that marked him as one of the sport’s most promising all-rounders. He took a huge leap forward from his 2024 level, and it will surprise no one if he’s soon fighting for a Grand Tour title of his own.

Matthew Brennan, like del Toro, couldn’t stop winning in 2025. The British neo-pro claimed twelve victories, establishing himself as one of the most consistent young sprinters in the peloton and showing surprising strength on hilly terrain.

It was as if Brennan had been racing at WorldTour level for years. His race craft and positioning were remarkable for someone in his debut season, and his versatility only adds to the excitement around him. With his victory in the Grand Prix de Denain – Porte du Hainaut, often dubbed the “mini-Roubaix”, Brennan signalled that he might one day contend for Paris-Roubaix itself. His flashes of brilliance there in 2025 suggest that future could come sooner than expected.

Tibor Del Grosso’s 2025 season was one of quiet consistency. The young Dutchman claimed a single victory, at the Presidential Cycling Tour of Türkiye, but it was his repeated presence near the front of races that made the difference. He finished second overall at the Volta a Catalunya, third at Dwars door het Hageland, and third on a stage of the Tour of Norway.

Del Grosso’s steady rise through the ranks has made him a reliable name for Alpecin-Deceuninck in the hilly one-day races and week-long stage events. The lessons learned this year will only strengthen him, and 2026 could see him step up as a leader in the semi-classics, where his mix of power and resilience makes him a natural contender.

Matyáš Kopecký came close to victory several times in 2025, most notably in the Tour of Denmark, where his aggressive racing style and tactical bravery stood out. His performances were defined by determination and courage, especially given that he competes with type 1 diabetes, a condition he was diagnosed with at age 15.

Kopecký’s season captured the imagination of fans for the way he races as much as the results themselves. He will join the Unibet Rose Rockets in 2026, a move that should help him take the next step. Given his energy, character and talent, it’s hard not to see him becoming one of the breakout personalities of the coming season.

Jakob Söderqvist’s reputation as one of cycling’s most gifted young time-trialists grew rapidly in 2025. The Swede underlined his pedigree with victory in the U23 World Championship time trial and backed it up with a series of strong showings at professional level.

He has also shown his worth as a loyal teammate. At the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, after more than 3,500 metres of climbing, he dug deep to deliver Jonathan Milan to stage victory, a selfless act that earned him praise within Lidl-Trek. Söderqvist’s mix of raw power, technical precision and team-first attitude suggests that a Grand Tour time trial win is not far away.

There is only one word to describe Paul Magnier’s 2025 season: outstanding. The 21-year-old Frenchman has been a revelation for Soudal Quick-Step, proving he can win in almost any situation. From bunch sprints in the Tour of Guangxi to reduced-group finishes at Dwars door het Hageland, Magnier showed the kind of adaptability that makes a complete rider.

While 2024 hinted at his potential, 2025 confirmed it. His wins came throughout the year rather than in short bursts, underlining his growing consistency. The next step is to bring that sharpness to the major classics, where his combination of speed, timing and resilience could make him one of the defining riders of the next decade and perhaps lead Soudal Quick-Step back to their glory days in the cobbled monuments.

Iván Romeo has developed into one of the peloton’s most courageous attackers. His 2025 season featured two solo victories, one at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana and another at the Critérium du Dauphiné, both after long, daring moves that showcased his endurance and tactical awareness.

At the Tour de France he came close again on stage 20, attacking from the breakaway before crashing in brutal conditions. It was a painful reminder of the risks that come with his racing style but also proof of the excitement he brings to every event. With Movistar continuing to invest in his development, Romeo looks set to become a regular threat for solo stage wins in 2026.

At 29, Victor Langellotti might seem an outlier in this new wave of rising stars, but his 2025 story fits the theme of renewal all the same. After joining Ineos Grenadiers at the start of 2025, few expected him to become the first Monégasque rider ever to win a WorldTour race. Yet that is exactly what he achieved at the Tour de Pologne, out-sprinting Brandon McNulty in the final metres after a dramatic late surge.

Langellotti’s season was built on consistency. Beyond that breakthrough win, he delivered strong performances across several one-week stage races, often punching above his weight against riders with bigger reputations. His confidence and form suggest that a stage race victory could be within reach in 2026.

For Lukáš Kubiš, 2025 was a season of near misses. The Slovak rider collected an impressive string of second places, often finding himself just short of the top step. Still, it was a year of real progress for both Kubiš and his Unibet Rose Rockets team, which now looks ready to challenge the established WorldTour squads.

The next step is turning those close calls into victories, something that feels only a matter of refinement. Should Unibet receive a wildcard invitation to the Tour de France, Kubiš could well make his debut there, giving him the perfect stage to convert promise into proof.

Last, but not least. Paul Seixas was one of the revelations of the late 2025 season. The young Frenchman shone at the European Championships, finishing behind only Remco Evenepoel and Tadej Pogačar, two of his idols. That podium confirmed his arrival among the next generation of elite riders.

With his composure under pressure and versatility across terrains, Seixas has the tools to grow quickly at the highest level. His next big test will be the demands of a Grand Tour, where the rhythm of three weeks can break even the most talented riders. Judging by his form and attitude, Seixas looks ready to embrace the challenge.