The team kicked off the 2026 season in Greece with two challenging one-day events: the Visit South Aegean GP and the Region of Dodecanese GP, where we tested ourselves against the international field. Although these were the first race kilometres of the year for the majority of our riders, the team moved in unison and scored their first UCI points of the year.
The start of the season started on a “rollercoaster” route along narrow village roads. While there were many crashes in the field due to nerves, our riders managed to avoid the crashes, although punctures and technical problems still made the day difficult.
This is how Tomas assessed the first day:
“I finished in the best position on the team, although it was almost coincidental. We wanted to ride for Niki in the finale, but unfortunately he was stuck a bit further back. Still, I’m happy that none of us crashed today. I wasn’t feeling particularly good at the start, but it improved as the race went on. It was a tough day. Maybe on paper it didn’t look like that, but there was a never-ending fight for positions. The good news is that tomorrow should be a little easier. We will focus even more on Niki, hoping for a good result.”
Niki, who was able to compete on home soil, added:
“I feel very proud to race in my home country with this amazing team. It’s a beautiful feeling to have races like this organized here, and I can’t wait for tomorrow. I’m not satisfied with my result. I know I could have achieved a much better one, but at least my performance was strong and I felt very good. The race was run at a high pace, controlled by the bigger teams. We tried to stay near the front all day because the route was quite tricky, but our positioning wasn’t ideal. When the big trains went full gas in the finale, it became difficult to move up. With the support of my teammates—especially Pridal and Drakos, who protected me so well throughout the day—I was able to use my strong legs in the final. However, in the last 500 meters I had to brake to avoid a crash with other riders, and with Cofidis going full gas, it was impossible to come back from that. Still, I gave everything until the finish.”
In the second race, the Region of Dodecanese GP Niki finished in 15th place after an excellent performance by the team. At the beginning of the day, Csongor and Zétény actively tried to get into the breakaway during an intense first hour.
Csongor made a statement after his first elite competition:
“In the first hour, Zétény and I tried to get into the breakaway, so it was quite intense. In the end, we didn’t manage to make it, and Cofidis started controlling the race, setting the pace all the way until the last lap. In the final 30 kilometers, we tried to keep Niki in a good position, which I think we managed well. I got dropped on the last climb, and from there I just rode to the finish. Overall, I’m satisfied and I feel that I was able to contribute to the team’s result today. The initial plan was not to set a specific placing goal for myself, since these are my first races among the pros and this circuit doesn’t really suit me. My main goal was to adapt to the pace of the peloton and work on my positioning, which I believe I managed to do. In the final lead-out, I got a bit separated from the team, so that’s something I can improve, because you have to be there 100% at the end to help. Apart from that, I’m satisfied and looking forward to what’s next.”
Niki finished the weekend with confidence, although she just missed out on the top 10:
“The race was the same story as yesterday. After the breakaway had formed the big teams controlled the race. On the last lap, all my teammates worked very well and put me in a perfect position before the last two climbs. With amazing teamwork, Pridal led me out until the last 2 km, and then I gave my best to stay there and fight for a good result. I was feeling really good and my position was ideal for the win, but in the last 500 meters some riders came from the back and I lost a few places before the sprint started, finishing 15th. The pace on the last climb was much faster and harder than yesterday. For sure the result could have been better, at least a top 10, but these are the first races of the season while other pro riders already have some race kilometers in their legs. I know I will get better race by race. Now some rest and training to grab some wins in the next weeks.”
Photo by Nassos Triantafyllou / https://www.cyclingphotos.gr/