Get ready to witness history in the making! Belgian cycling sensation Jarno Widar is set to take the WorldTour by storm in 2026, marking his debut with a Grand Tour appearance and not one, but two Monument races. But here’s where it gets even more exciting—this rising star isn’t just dipping his toes; he’s diving headfirst into a schedule that could define his career.
Fresh off another stellar season with Lotto’s development team in 2025, Widar was crowned the ‘Promising Rider of the Year’ for the second consecutive time at Belgium’s prestigious Kristallen Fiets awards. And this is the part most people miss: despite the ongoing drama surrounding the Lotto-Intermarché merger, Widar’s spot on the team is secure, and his ambitious 2026 plan cements his status as one of their brightest stars.
In a recent interview with HLN, Widar shared a glimpse of his provisional calendar: ‘I’ll likely tackle Strade Bianche, La Flèche Wallonne, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège in the spring. The Amstel Gold Race is also on the table, but that depends on how I fare at the Tour of the Basque Country. Then, the Vuelta a España will be my Grand Tour debut, and I’ll wrap up the season with the Tour of Lombardy.’
He added with a mix of excitement and humility, ‘It’s a dream come true, and I’m eager to see what I can achieve. It’s going to be a journey of discovery, and I’m incredibly curious about how it unfolds.’
But let’s not forget the controversy: while Widar’s talent is undeniable, the pressure to perform at the WorldTour level is immense. Can he live up to the hype? Or will the transition prove too challenging? His recent one-day race victories, including the Liège-Bastogne-Liège U23 and the European Championships U23 road race, suggest he’s ready. However, his cramps at the World Championships in Rwanda serve as a reminder that even the most promising riders face setbacks.
Widar himself is taking a cautious approach, emphasizing that simply making it to the professional level was his dream. Yet, as one of the world’s top climbing prospects, Lotto-Intermarché will undoubtedly push him to unlock his full potential.
Here’s the burning question: Is Jarno Widar the next big thing in cycling, or will the WorldTour prove to be a step too far? Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear your take on this rising star’s future!
