These are the talents to watch out for: Ten neo-pros who could hit the ground running in 2024
Sebastian Lindner
· 06.02.2024
Many well-known professionals have ended their careers in 2023. There is now room for new heroes in the peloton. A total of exactly 100 riders have signed their first contract as professional cyclists for 2024. 45 of them will start directly as neo-pros on the World Tour. TOUR has picked out ten of the most promising talents and taken a closer look at them.
Per Strand Hagenes (Visma | Lease a Bike)
Even before his first season as a professional, Per Strand Hagenes has made quite an impression in the elite field. He already has several high-quality victories to his name.
Emil Herzog (Bora-Hansgrohe)
After a junior career that could hardly have been more successful, Emil Herzog's first and only U23 year was not crowned with success. His career is now set to take off again with the pros at Bora-Hansgrohe.
Andrew August (Ineos Grenadiers)
Physiologically, Andrew August is considered a child prodigy. He has therefore also delivered in the juniors. Initial comparisons with Remco Evenepoel have already been made. Now he wants to prove himself two levels higher, as he is simply skipping the U23s.
Timo Kielich (Alpecin-Deceuninck)
Timo Kielich had to wait a long time for his first professional contract, but now the 24-year-old has it in the bag. The Belgian earned his first year in the World Tour above all with good sprints and performances in the classics.
Nicolas Vinokourov (Astana Qazaqstan Team)
So far, it seems that the big name could be ahead of Nicolas Vinokourov's talent. The son of Astana team manager Alexandre has not yet stood out from the crowd. Nevertheless, he will be riding for his father's World Tour team from 2024.
Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates)
Isaac del Toro took off from 0 to 100 in the pro ranks and in the World Tour. The Mexican, whose victory at the Tour de l'Avenir should be rated even higher due to his origins, immediately set an exclamation mark at the Tour Down Under.
Henri Uhlig (Alpecin-Deceuninck)
Henri Uhlig sees his future in the classics. At the last World Championships, he already showed where his journey could take him. However, it will not be easy to assert himself in the world's most specialised team in the classics.
Frank van den Broek (dsm-firmenich PostNL)
In the Netherlands, they have been waiting for the next big climber for a few years now. But that could now come to an end. In 2023, Frank van den Broek made a career leap that promises great things for the future.
Luke Lamperti (Soudal - Quick Step)
Sprinting is Luke Lamperti's great strength. However, the US boy almost prefers riding over cobblestones. With Soudal - Quick Step, he has chosen exactly the right team for both specialities. And with nine victories last year, he had the choice.
Johannes Staune-Mittet (Visma | Lease a Bike)
Another Norwegian is pushing onto the big stage. He won the Giro Next Gen and came second in the Tour de l'Avenir. Johannes Staune-Mittet is the next big climbing talent to join the World Tour.
