OPINION | Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Red Bull BORA-hansgrohe: Which teams and riders are most likely to dethrone UAE Team Emirates – XRG and Tadej Pogacar in 2025?
The world of professional cycling has been dominated by UAE Team Emirates and Tadej Pogačar in recent years, with the Slovenian prodigy establishing himself as one of the most dominant riders in the sport. However, the 2025 season promises to be one of heightened competition, with a number of teams and riders looking to challenge Pogačar’s reign. Among these, key names such as Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, and teams like Red Bull BORA-hansgrohe are poised to make their mark. So, who will be the riders and teams most likely to dethrone UAE Team Emirates and Pogačar in 2025?
### Jonas Vingegaard and Jumbo-Visma: A Formidable Threat
When it comes to the most realistic contender for Pogačar’s throne, Jonas Vingegaard from Jumbo-Visma stands out. The Danish climber has already demonstrated his ability to challenge Pogačar at the Grand Tours, particularly at the Tour de France. Vingegaard’s victory in the 2022 Tour de France was a significant breakthrough, where he overcame Pogačar’s dominance by employing tactical brilliance and endurance over the three-week race. His performance in the 2023 Tour de France further solidified his standing as one of the best riders in the world, as he battled Pogačar again in the mountains.
Vingegaard’s strengths lie in his climbing prowess and consistency, which are crucial for dethroning a rider like Pogačar, who excels in similar terrains. Moreover, Jumbo-Visma’s formidable team support is another key asset. With riders like Wout van Aert and Primož Roglič, Vingegaard has the advantage of an all-star team capable of controlling the race and keeping the pressure on UAE Team Emirates. If Jumbo-Visma can further strengthen their team and maintain their strategic dominance, Vingegaard will undoubtedly be one of the most serious threats to Pogačar’s dominance in 2025.
### Mathieu van der Poel: The Wild Card for One-Day Races
While Grand Tour dominance is typically associated with stage-race specialists like Pogačar, Jonas Vingegaard, and Primož Roglič, Mathieu van der Poel presents a different type of challenge. Known for his explosive power and versatile skill set, van der Poel is one of the most exciting riders in modern cycling. The Dutchman has shown his ability to win a wide variety of races, from the classics to short-stage races, and even Olympic gold in cyclocross.
In 2025, van der Poel’s ability to perform in one-day races such as the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, and the World Championships could provide a different avenue for UAE Team Emirates’ domination to be challenged. While he might not be able to match Pogačar over three weeks in a Grand Tour, in one-day races, van der Poel’s raw power and aggressive tactics make him a formidable rival. His racing style, which blends explosiveness with strategic racing, could disrupt the status quo and create opportunities for himself and his team.
### Red Bull BORA-hansgrohe: A Team on the Rise
BORA-hansgrohe has been steadily improving over the years, with a focus on Grand Tour success. The German team, which secured a reputation for backing riders like Peter Sagan, has evolved into a powerhouse, and its performance in recent years has shown that it is poised to make a significant impact in 2025.
A key figure to watch in BORA-hansgrohe’s ambitions is the young, talented rider Aleksandr Vlasov. The Russian climber has already demonstrated his ability to compete in Grand Tours, finishing on the podium in the Giro d’Italia. Vlasov’s climbing skills and time-trialing ability make him a potential threat in multi-stage races, and with a solid team backing him, including the likes of Jai Hindley and Emanuel Buchmann, BORA-hansgrohe could challenge UAE Team Emirates in the Grand Tours, especially in the Giro and Vuelta.
Another rider to keep an eye on is Lennard Kämna, a rider capable of causing upsets in the mountains. With strong supporting riders and an increased focus on stage-race success, Red Bull BORA-hansgrohe could prove to be a force to be reckoned with in 2025. If they can enhance their race strategy and coordination, the team could well provide a real challenge to Pogačar and UAE Team Emirates in both the Grand Tours and the one-day classics.
### The Rise of New Challengers
In addition to the well-established riders and teams like Vingegaard, van der Poel, and BORA-hansgrohe, the 2025 season will also see a new generation of riders emerge as potential threats to Pogačar’s reign. Riders like Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) and Daniel Martínez (Ineos Grenadiers) have shown their capabilities in both Grand Tours and one-day races, making them potential contenders for the top spots in 2025. Evenepoel’s time-trialing and climbing skills make him a major rival to Pogačar, while Martínez’s consistent performances on tough mountain stages suggest he could compete in any race.
Moreover, the continued improvement of teams like Ineos Grenadiers, which has always been a key player in stage-race tactics, adds depth to the competition. With riders like Egan Bernal and Tao Geoghegan Hart still capable of challenging in Grand Tours, Ineos will continue to be a threat to UAE Team Emirates.
### Conclusion
While UAE Team Emirates and Tadej Pogačar remain the dominant force in cycling as we enter 2025, the competition is intensifying. Jonas Vingegaard’s prowess in the Grand Tours, Mathieu van der Poel’s strength in one-day races, and the rising threat from teams like Red Bull BORA-hansgrohe make the upcoming season incredibly exciting. With a crop of talented riders and teams in hot pursuit, 2025 could very well be the year that Pogačar’s reign is finally challenged, if not dethroned. The sport of cycling is set for an epic showdown, and the competition promises to be fierce and thrilling.
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