The cycling world is buzzing with discussions and doubts as negative perceptions grow around participating in the Tour de France, largely due to the dominance of riders like Pogacar and others. But here's where it gets controversial: with this shift in attention, opportunities arise elsewhere—especially for emerging talents aiming for significant results in Grand Tours like the Giro d'Italia. This is precisely the goal for the young Rider Johannes Kulset, who is now focusing on making a meaningful impact at Giro, challenging the prevailing narrative.
Looking ahead to the 2026 season, Uno-X Mobility — a Norwegian cycling team that has traditionally participated mainly in the Tour de France, having only competed there three times — is embarking on a new adventure. Historically, the team was often absent from the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España. However, with their recent acquisition of a UCI WorldTour license, a significant shift occurs. This license not only grants them the right but also the obligation to take part in all three Grand Tours, marking a major step up in their competitive ambitions.
This transition places substantial demands on the team’s depth and resources, yet it also presents a golden opportunity for promising riders like 21-year-old Johannes Kulset. His mission? To become Uno-X’s general classification (GC) leader at the Giro and demonstrate his capability on one of cycling’s biggest stages.
Preparing for his first full season at the WorldTour level proved challenging for the Norwegian squad. While many teams enjoyed milder conditions in Calpe and on the Costa Blanca in Spain, Uno-X spent four weeks training in the cold and rugged Sierra Nevada mountains. This unfamiliar environment was a new test, and Kulset admits his form was initially lacking upon arrival. Yet, he emphasizes the importance of gradual development: "It was definitely a new experience. I was in poor shape when I arrived for altitude training, but we built my fitness steadily."
He views this preparation period as crucial, noting that such intense early efforts help boost confidence and set a strong foundation for the season. Motivated after the off-season, he felt ready to tackle the demanding four-week camp, which he believes was a smart decision for his development.
Kulset has also focused heavily on time trial (TT) performance. He explains, “I’ve dedicated a lot of time to TT training—trying out different bike fits and finding the optimal position. I’ve increased my efforts in efforts and efforts on the bike, which has significantly improved my numbers.” He’s also re-evaluating his daily training priorities, shifting away from the traditional Zone 2 work (which is moderate effort) to more intense Zone 3 efforts, aiming for better overall performance.
Even with limited experience, Kulset already competed in the 2024 Tour de France, becoming the youngest rider in that edition. His role wasn’t to win but to gain experience, and he finished in 47th place overall, over three hours behind race winner Tadej Pogacar. During that race, he managed to finish in the top-20 on one stage from a breakaway—a notable achievement for such a young rider.
Reflecting on the current racing scene, Kulset remarks, “Many riders are now hesitant to start the Tour because the top spots seem locked by Pogacar, Vingegaard, and Remco. It feels like unless someone falls sick, they’re fighting for second place behind these giants.” He suggests that the Giro, compared to the Tour, might feature a slightly more open and uncertain hierarchy, especially from fourth to fifteenth places.
At the Giro this year, Kulset won’t face Pogacar directly. However, the competition includes Jonas Vingegaard, who was runner-up at the last Tour. Unlike last year’s Tour, Kulset’s aspirations at the Giro are modest. He’s aiming for a stage win and aiming to stay near the top-10 in the overall GC—a realistic yet ambitious target for his first major Giro.
He expresses enthusiasm for the race’s format: “I really enjoy it—so many open stages. Unlike the Tour, which has lots of boring sprints and a few mountain stages, the Giro now strikes a nice balance. There are only a couple of tough mountain stages, with the rest being more unpredictable, making for an exciting and potentially chaotic race. It’s shaping up to be a very open competition, with the top contenders closely packed until the final days.”
Kulset will lead his team’s GC efforts, with a dedicated and strategic roster. He mentions, “Our team plans to be very attacking with numerous breakaways, involving strong riders who can create opportunities. Everyone will have their chance to shine, and when they’re not in the breakaway, they’ll support me fully. I’ll have Anders Skaarseth as a key domestique and road captain, as he’s incredibly reliable. Andreas Leknessund and Fredrik Dversnes also fit well into the breakaway-focused approach of the Giro’s profile.”
Lastly, good weather might not be a problem for the Scandinavian team. Kulset believes their experience training in the harsh Sierra Nevada conditions gives them an edge: “Bad weather? That should actually favor us, since we’re more accustomed to racing in tough conditions. Our training has prepared us well for anything Mother Nature throws at us, much like the Vikings—adaptable and resilient.”
And this is precisely the point most people overlook—such strategic preparation and mental toughness could be decisive in unpredictable Giro conditions. Do you believe that with such a focused approach, young riders like Kulset can challenge the established stars this year? Or do you think experience at the very top level still reigns supreme? Share your thoughts in the comments!
