The cycling world is buzzing with a bold claim: 'The Tour de France is losing its allure due to the dominance of Pogacar and his rivals,' says Uno-X's rising star, Johannes Kulset. But is this the whole story? As Kulset sets his sights on a meaningful General Classification (GC) result at the Giro d'Italia, he’s not just aiming to compete—he’s ready to challenge the narrative. And this is the part most people miss: the Giro might just be the new battleground for riders seeking a fairer fight beyond the shadow of cycling’s Big Three.
The 2026 season marks a monumental shift for Uno-X Mobility. Until now, the Norwegian team had only graced the Tour de France three times, never receiving an invitation to the Giro d’Italia or Vuelta a España. But with their newly acquired WorldTour license, everything changes. This privilege comes with a mandate: compete in all three Grand Tours. While this tests the team’s depth, it’s a golden opportunity for riders like Kulset, who steps into the role of Uno-X’s GC leader for the Giro.
Preparing for their WorldTour debut was no small feat. While other teams enjoyed the sun-soaked training grounds of Calpe and Costa Blanca, Uno-X endured four grueling weeks in the freezing Sierra Nevada. 'It was a completely new experience,' Kulset shared with Domestique. 'I arrived at the altitude camp in poor shape, but we built it up slowly.' This unconventional approach paid off, giving him a solid foundation to build on. 'Starting the season with such intensity was tough, but it was the smart move for me,' he added.
Kulset has been hard at work, focusing heavily on time trials (TTs). 'I’ve experimented with bike fits and positions, and my training efforts have significantly improved my TT numbers,' he explained. He’s also rethinking his daily training regimen, shifting focus from Zone 2 to Zone 3. 'Zone 3 is more critical for my development,' he clarified, showcasing his evolving strategy.
At just 21, Kulset already has Grand Tour experience under his belt, having competed in the 2024 Tour de France as its youngest rider. His goal then was simple: gain experience. He finished 47th overall, over three hours behind Tadej Pogacar, but managed a stage top-20 finish from a breakaway. 'The Tour is becoming less appealing because the top three spots feel locked in by Pogacar, Vingegaard, and Remco—unless something unexpected happens,' Kulset noted. 'Right now, the Giro’s competition from fourth to 15th place might be stronger than the Tour’s.'
At the Giro, Kulset won’t face Pogacar, but he’ll share the road with Jonas Vingegaard, the 2024 Tour runner-up. However, Kulset’s goals are modest: aim for a stage victory while staying within reach of the top-10 in GC. 'I love the Giro’s format—so many open stages,' he enthused. 'Instead of boring sprint stages followed by a few intense mountain days, the Giro offers two or three crazy mountain stages and no dull sprints. The GC battle will be wide open, with the top 10 remaining tight until the final days.'
As Uno-X’s GC leader, Kulset will be supported by a versatile squad. 'Everyone will get their chance to shine, and when they’re not in the breakaway, they’ll fully support me,' he explained. Anders Skaarseth will serve as his road captain and super domestique, while Andreas Leknessund and Fredrik Dversnes are primed for the Giro’s breakaway-friendly terrain. And if the weather turns nasty? 'We’ll thrive,' Kulset assured. 'Our Viking-style training in Sierra Nevada has prepared us for the worst conditions. Bad weather is our ally.'
But here’s where it gets controversial: Is the Giro truly overtaking the Tour as the more competitive race? And does the dominance of cycling’s Big Three stifle opportunities for other riders? Kulset’s journey at the Giro might just spark a debate. What do you think? Is the Giro the new frontier for ambitious riders, or does the Tour still reign supreme? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
