- Stepping up to World Tour level
will be one of the most significant gear shifts
of any pro rider's career.
And here are seven riders who'll be doing just that
who we think you should keep your eye on
as they look to impress in 2018.
Incredibly still 20 years of age,
Colombian rider, Egan Bernal,
has spent the last couple of seasons
riding at pro-continental level
with the Italian, Androni-Sidermec squad
who, quite shrewdly, had originally tied him
to a three year deal
before he was lured away to Team Sky
for the same length term of contract
due to his quite incredible climbing prowess.
In 2017, the former mountain biker
had no less than nine race wins,
including the overall and two mountain top finishes
at the prestigious Tour de L'Avenir.
And he ended the season with a flourish as well
proving that he could race
with the very best riders in the world
at the longest distances too
with 13th place at the last monument
the Tour of Lombardy.
Now he is without doubt
one of the finest young climbing talents in the world.
But will be he given the chance to flourish on Team Sky?
An all-rounder with true time trial ability,
22-year-old, Scott Davies, of Great Britain
spent the last couple of seasons
riding at continental level
with Team Wiggins and was this year crowned,
for the fourth time in a row,
British, Under 23, Time-Trial Champion.
As well as rounding off the season with a top ten spot
at the Under 23 Time-Trial Worlds in Norway.
His excellence against the clock
is matched by his ability on the road
to perform over all sorts of terrain.
Taking 12th overall whilst only 19 years of age
against World Tour opposition,
in the Tour of Yorkshire, for example
That was followed up by string of top G.C. places
on some of the most mountainous and prestigious
Under 23 stage races in the world.
And then last year
he was fourth overall
in the Baby Giro.
That was enough to convince Dimension Data
that Davies has got what it takes
to take it to the next level.
Young American, Neilson Powless,
is without doubt, one of the most talented
all-rounder's of his generation.
And after two stellar seasons
with Axeon Hagens Berman
he's been snapped up by Dutch World Tour Team
LottoNL-Jumbo
As a spritely 19-year-old
at the 2016 edition of the Tour of California
he announced himself on to the world stage
with a string of top ten performances
which ultimately led to a fine 9th place overall
under the watch of many a World Tour manager.
His progress continued through 2017
highlights of which included the
Under 23 American Road title,
a stage in the Baby Giro,
but arguably the season's highlight for him
was fourth place in the brutally tough Tour of Utah
The signing of Ecuadorian Road Champion
Jhonatan Narvaez, again illustrates
Quickstep Floors team manager, Patrick Lefevere's
keen eye for up and coming young riders.
But it's the sheer versatility of Narvaez's talent
that makes this one such an exciting proposition.
He broke the Junior World Pursuit record
by over two seconds on the track
and also took out the Under 23 at National Time-Trial title
whilst at the time beating far older opposition.
And in 2017, he rode for the US based
Axeon Hagens Berman team
where he absolutely excelled on the road.
His performances included the overall classification
at the circuit of the Ardennes,
a stage win at the Tour of the Gila
and a nicely impressive 15th place overall
at the Tour of Utah against World Tour opposition
on a brutally mountainous course.
Arguably the hardest stage race in the United States.
Adding superior climbing credentials
to his preexisting sprinting and time trial capabilities.
At 26, Jan Hirt, is the oldest rider in our list
and he's been plying his trade at a pro-continental level
with Polish team CCC-Sprandi-Polkowice
for the last three years
where he's proved to be a pretty classy contender
in the high mountains.
His 2016 overall win in the Tour of Austria
being a really good example.
Last year he drew the attention of several World Tour teams
with a stand out performance in the Giro d'Italia,
his debut Grand Tour.
He actually got stronger as the race headed
into it's final ferociously difficult week.
Now this consistency, netted him an exceptional
12th place overall,
and a two year deal with Astana
where he'll now form part of the Kazakh squad's
Grand Tour ambitions.
Given his remarkable trajectory
over the last couple of seasons
as a protected sprinter for the French Pro Conti Team,
Fortuneo-Vital Concept,
it was no surprise to see British rider, Dan McLay
make the jump to World Tour.
His tally of eight top ten finishes
in bunch sprints of the last two editions
of the Tour de France
illustrate his talent to sprint
at the very highest level of the sport.
It's not only that
his bike skills are something to behold as well.
Check out the insane finish of the 2016 Tour de Denain
where he somehow, miraculously almost
threaded his way through the bunch to victory.
This ability and potential has persuaded
EF Education First-Drapac p/b Cannondale
to offer him a berth on their squad for 2018
where he'll be a key sprinter alongside Sacha Modolo.
21 year old climbing sensation, Lucas Hamilton
has followed former Under 23 Orica-Scott riders
Jack Haig and Robert Power into signing
for the World Tour squad.
The former Aussie Junior Road Champion
has really impressed in 2017,
winning the Tour of Alsace,
was 4th overall in the Tour of l'Avenir,
was Runner-up in the Baby Giro,
where he also showed his remarkable versatility
by also winning the individual time trial.
His burgeoning potential has been rewarded
with a three year deal,
testament to the squads investment in young riders.
Next in line to Esteban Chaves, the Yates twins,
he certainly seems to have all the qualities needed
It's going to be a very interesting few years
for that young man.
Do you think these guys have got what it takes?
And who else do you think should have been on this list?
Let us know in the comment section down below.
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