Here’s What Your Favorite WorldTour Riders Looked Like Before They Were Household Names

Everyone loves a good throwback, right? A reminder of humble beginnings, simpler times. A look back at the times of youth sports. The good ole days.

Before we get fully engrossed back in bike racing with the Vuelta a España this weekend, it’s time to look back at some of the WorldTour bigs before they were racing for rainbow jerseys, grand tour wins, or multi-disciplinary accolades.

Let’s dive into this week’s Social Digest, the throwback edition.

Late 2000s Tadej Pogačar and Wout van Aert

Before they were household names, Tadej, Wout and Demi Vollering were just young kids with big dreams. Although like Demi always says, it starts with dreaming…

 

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Jonas Vingegaard, Mark Cavendish and Marianne Vos

Now almost a full year retired, Mark Cavendish was once just a hopeful 13-year-old dreaming of the stats he would soon rack up in his sporting career.

Primeiro você começa, depois você melhora pic.twitter.com/sbh5gvXYRt

— O País Do Ciclismo (@opaisdociclismo) February 25, 2025

 2015-Present, Mathieu van der Poel

Some of Mathieu van der Poel’s finest moments on the bike over the last 10 years, all in one video.

 

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29 races complete, 29 races won

Oozing with confidence from a young age, MVDP knew he was destined for greatness in cycling.

 

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Tom Pidcock, Filippo Ganna and Lotte Kopecky

And just a few more to round out this article.

 

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