A bold statement: Uno-X's ambitious plan to conquer the Giro d'Italia!
In a move that's sure to turn heads, Uno-X Mobility is gearing up for a groundbreaking 2026 season. This Norwegian team, once a rare sight at the Grand Tours, is now ready to take on the world with their newly acquired WorldTour team license. But here's the catch: with great power comes great responsibility, and Uno-X must now compete in all three Grand Tours.
This presents a unique challenge and opportunity for riders like Johannes Kulset, who is set to lead Uno-X's General Classification (GC) charge at the Giro. Kulset, a young talent with Grand Tour experience from the 2024 Tour de France, is eager to make his mark.
The preparations for this historic season have been intense. While some teams relaxed in the sun, Uno-X braved the freezing temperatures of Sierra Nevada for an intense four-week training camp. Kulset describes it as a "really good start" to the training period, a boost in motivation and fitness that sets the tone for the upcoming challenges.
But why the Giro, you might ask? Well, Kulset believes the Giro offers a more competitive field, especially in the top 15, compared to the Tour de France dominated by the likes of Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, and Remco Evenepoel.
"People are avoiding the Tour because they know those three are there, and the top spots are taken," Kulset says. "The Giro, on the other hand, is more open and exciting."
At the Giro, Kulset won't face Pogacar, but he'll certainly have his hands full with Vingegaard, who finished second at the 2024 Tour. Kulset's goals are ambitious yet realistic: a stage victory and a top-10 finish in the GC.
"I love the Giro's open stages," he says. "No more boring sprint stages, just crazy mountain stages and an open GC battle. It's going to be exciting!"
Kulset's strategy is clear: a strong, open squad with breakaway specialists and domestiques to support him. He'll have Anders Skaarseth as his road captain and super domestique, with Andreas Leknessund and Fredrik Dversnes adding their strength to the team's breakaway-friendly profile.
And what about the weather? Well, the Scandinavians are ready for anything. Their viking-style training in Sierra Nevada has prepared them for the worst, and they believe bad weather could be their secret weapon.
"We're used to it, we know how to ride in bad weather," Kulset says with confidence.
So, will Uno-X's bold move pay off? Will Kulset and his team conquer the Giro? Only time will tell. But one thing's for sure: this is a story of ambition, hard work, and a team ready to take on the world.
What do you think? Is the Giro a smarter choice than the Tour for Uno-X? Share your thoughts in the comments!
