People who love cycling constantly want to know who the top 10 greatest cyclists in the world will be in 2025. This list goes deep into the top male athletes who are not only winning races but also making history, pushing their bodies to the limit, and inspiring millions of people all around the world. These cyclists are experts at what they do and are dominating every type of terrain they come across, whether it’s the steep mountain passes of the Tour de France, the rough cobblestones of Paris–Roubaix, or the fast sprint finishes of Grand Tours.
The best professional cyclists have been on display in the 2025 season, from strong climbers and time trial specialists to all-arounders and classics monarchs. Fans are still amazed by stars like Tadej Pogačar, who is always tactically brilliant and consistent. At the same time, rivals like Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel keep the competition strong. These riders aren’t just athletes; they’re global superstars who show the highest levels of endurance, strategy, and mental strength.
As cycling becomes more popular outside of the professional peloton, affecting fitness trends, lifestyle choices, and eco-friendly transportation, these champions get even more attention. The stories of each name on this list show how hard work, dedication, and breakthrough events have shaped the 2025 racing season.
The Top 10 Best Male Cyclists in the World (2025)
1. Tadej Pogačar (Slovenia, UAE Team Emirates)
Born: September 21, 1998
Turned Pro: 2019
Breakthrough: Won the 2019 Tour of California
Tadej Pogačar is widely considered one of the most complete and talented riders of his generation. He has won the Tour de France four times (2020, 2021, 2024, 2025), claimed Giro di Lombardia titles (2021–2023), Strade Bianche (2022), and an Olympic bronze medal (2020). Known for his climbing ability, time trial dominance, and tactical race intelligence, Pogačar once again proved his supremacy in 2025 by dominating the Tour with wins in both mountain and TT stages, reclaiming his crown. His versatility and consistency continue to set him apart in modern cycling.
2. Jonas Vingegaard (Denmark, Team Visma)
Born: December 10, 1996
Turned Pro: 2019
Breakthrough: 2nd place in the 2021 Tour de France
Jonas Vingegaard has established himself as one of the top climbers and GC contenders of his era. With Tour de France victories in 2022 and 2023, and stage wins in the Vuelta a España and Dauphiné, his endurance and high-altitude performance are unmatched. In 2025, he engaged in a fierce battle with Pogačar, ultimately finishing runner-up in a dramatic Tour. Calm and calculated, Vingegaard remains a consistent force at the top of world cycling.
3. Remco Evenepoel (Belgium, Soudal–QuickStep)
Born: January 25, 2000
Turned Pro: 2019
Breakthrough: Won 2019 Clásica de San Sebastián at age 19
A prodigy turned powerhouse, Remco Evenepoel has built an impressive palmarès with World Time Trial titles (2022–2024), a Vuelta a España win (2022), and double Olympic golds in 2024. His time-trialling strength, aggressive solo attacks, and hunger for victory define his style. In 2025, he continued his legacy with podium finishes in both Classics and Grand Tours, reinforcing his role as a dynamic and unpredictable contender.
4. Mathieu van der Poel (Netherlands, Alpecin–Deceuninck)
Born: January 19, 1995
Turned Pro: 2014 (Cyclocross), 2019 (Road)
Breakthrough: Won Amstel Gold Race in 2019
Mathieu van der Poel thrives on intensity and showmanship, winning Paris–Roubaix (2022–2024), Tour of Flanders (2020, 2022), and Milan–San Remo (2023), along with the World Road Race Championship in 2023. His explosive power, especially on cobbled classics, and his cyclocross roots make him an unstoppable force. In 2025, he maintained top form with a top-3 finish in Paris–Roubaix, continuing to thrill fans with his attacking flair.
5. Wout van Aert (Belgium, Team Visma–Lease a Bike)
Born: September 15, 1994
Turned Pro: 2016
Breakthrough: Cyclocross World Champion (multiple times)
Wout van Aert remains the Swiss Army knife of cycling, excelling in sprints, TTs, climbs, and classics. With Tour de France stage wins (9+), a Green Jersey (2022), Milan–San Remo (2020), and 3x World Cyclocross titles, his versatility is unmatched. In 2025, he delivered strong Spring Classic performances and impactful Tour stages, proving again that he can do it all. His ongoing rivalry with Van der Poel keeps fans captivated.
6. Mads Pedersen (Denmark, Lidl–Trek)
Born: December 18, 1995
Turned Pro: 2014
Breakthrough: 2019 World Champion
Mads Pedersen is known for his tenacity and thrives in harsh weather and sprint finishes. Since becoming World Champion in 2019, he has collected stage wins across the Tour, Giro, and Vuelta, and Gent–Wevelgem titles (2020, 2024, 2025). In 2025, he showcased his form and grit with another Gent–Wevelgem win and strong results in one-day races, proving his sprinting strength is still elite.
7. Filippo Ganna (Italy, Ineos Grenadiers)
Born: July 25, 1996
Turned Pro: 2017
Breakthrough: 2020 Giro d’Italia TT wins
Filippo Ganna is a time-trial machine with four World TT Championships (2020–2023), a Paris–Roubaix win (2022), and Olympic Gold in 2024. He also holds the World Hour Record (2022). Though not a GC rider, Ganna continues to shine in flat stages, ITT events, and team support roles. In 2025, he secured multiple podium finishes in time trials, reinforcing his status as one of the best against the clock.
8. Juan Ayuso (Spain, UAE Team Emirates)
Born: September 16, 2002
Turned Pro: 2021
Breakthrough: 2023 Tour de Romandie Champion
Juan Ayuso is one of the most exciting young GC prospects in cycling. With multiple Youth Classifications, consistent top-10 finishes in stage races, and a 2025 Critérium du Dauphiné podium, he continues his upward trajectory. In the 2025 Giro, he finished top-5, showcasing his climbing talent, race strategy, and increasing TT capabilities. A Grand Tour victory seems within reach soon.
9. Tom Pidcock (Great Britain, Team Jayco–AlUla)
Born: July 30, 1999
Turned Pro: 2020
Breakthrough: 2021 Olympic MTB Gold
Tom Pidcock is a rare hybrid, excelling in MTB, cyclocross, and road racing. He boasts victories in Paris–Roubaix (2024) and Strade Bianche (2023), and Olympic MTB glory. Known for technical skill, aggressive descending, and creative tactics, Pidcock maintained his unique form in 2025, splitting time between road and MTB, and delivering results across terrains. His long-term GC potential remains intriguing.
10. Primož Roglič (Slovenia, Bora–Hansgrohe)
Born: October 29, 1989
Turned Pro: 2013
Breakthrough: 2016 Giro stage win
Primož Roglič’s career is defined by Vuelta a España victories (2019–2021), a Giro d’Italia title (2023), and an Olympic TT gold (2021). Despite entering cycling later after ski jumping, he quickly climbed to elite status. Known for his climbing, time-trial ability, and late-race attacks, Roglič remained a top GC contender in 2025, delivering a strong performance in the Vuelta. Even at 35, his tactical intelligence keeps him in the game.
Key Takeaways:
- Tadej Pogačar leads with dominance in stage races.
- Jonas Vingegaard continues to push limits in mountain stages.
- Van der Poel and Van Aert shine in one-day races.
- Young stars like Ayuso and Pidcock represent the future.
Major Cycling Championships (2024–2025)
- Tour de France: Dominated by Pogačar and Vingegaard.
- Giro d’Italia & Vuelta a España: Feature top GC contenders like Roglič, Evenepoel, and Pedersen.
- World Championships: In 2024, Evenepoel and Ganna claimed top honors.
- Olympics: The 2024 Paris Games saw Evenepoel and Ganna take gold.
FAQS
Q: Who is the best male cyclist in 2025?
A: Tadej Pogačar, with four Tour de France wins, is widely considered the best.
Q: Who are the top young male riders to watch?
A: Juan Ayuso and Tom Pidcock are top prospects for future Grand Tour victories.
Q: What makes Van Aert and Van der Poel so special?
A: Their ability to win across disciplines – from road races to cyclocross and time trials – makes them unique.
Q: What is the most prestigious cycling race?
A: The Tour de France is considered the most prestigious Grand Tour.
Conclusion
Cycling in 2025 is fueled by incredible male athletes who push boundaries in every race. From the tactical brilliance of Pogacar to the raw power of Ganna, these champions are reshaping the sport. Whether you’re a casual fan or a competitive rider, learning from their stories and achievements is inspiring.
