Cycling: Heroes are born every year in cycling. 2018 was the season of newcomers. Many young professionals were able to draw attention to themselves at important races and sometimes initiate a turning point. We look back on the season and report on the three biggest cycling newcomers of 2018.
1) Richard Carapaz (Movistar)
When the Movistar team announced the squad for the Giro d'Italia, the experts were amazed. No Alejandro Valverde, no Nairo Quintana and no Mikel Landa should be doing the rounds in Italy. However, those who thought that the Spanish team would not play a role in the overall standings were disabused in May. The only 25 year old Richard Carapaz was to take on the role of captain in only his second Grand Tour. The Ecuadorian fought with Miguel Ángel López for the jersey of the best young rider. Although he narrowly lost this fight, he finished fourth overall – and a stage win on a mountain finish – he made you sit up and take notice.
2) Egan Bernal (Sky)
The Colombians have been stirring up cycling for years. In addition to Rigoberto Uran, Fernando Gaviria, Miguel Angel Lopez and Nairo Quintana, another - even younger - professional from the South African country is now in the spotlight. Egan Bernal has been driving for Team Sky since the beginning of 2018 and has already attracted attention in his first few months as a professional. In February he won his Home tour Colombia Oro y Paz before his compatriots Quintana, Uran, and Henao. This was followed by top placements on stages of important tours, such as in Catalonia, in Romandy and in California. While he was at the Tour of Romandie was still second in the overall standings, he won the Tour of California. He was then immediately nominated for the Tour de France, where he became one of the most important helpers for Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas. For a long time, the role of helper for the only 21-year-old will probably no longer be an issue.
3) Enric Mas (Quick Step Floors)
The fans were quite astonished when, even in the third week of the Vuelta a Espana, a professional from Team Quick-Step Floors was still at the top of the overall standings – and she 20th stage even win could. Enric Mas Nicolau was known as a talent, but no one would have expected that he would suddenly make the rise to such a strong tour driver. He already indicated his strong form at the Tour de Suisse, but the breakthrough came a few weeks later in Spain. With an extremely consistent performance, he left Miguel Angel Lopez, Steven Kruijswijk, Alejandro Valverde and Thibaut Pinot behind – and finished sensationally second in the overall standings. He may be the answer to the problem in Spanish cycling. Is there a lack of young, talented Spanish professionals? Not any longer longer!
🔝 The best summary of 20th stage #LaVuelta18 pic.twitter.com/4fNGHhXeJs
- La Vuelta (@lavuelta) September 15, 2018