From breakout sensation to overcoming setbacks, Antonio Morgado's 2025 was a tough chapter – but 2026 might just be his comeback story!
Picture this: a young talent bursting onto the cycling scene as one of the biggest revelations of 2024, only to face a rocky 2025 filled with health hurdles and unmet expectations. That's the rollercoaster ride of UAE Team Emirates' rising star, Antonio Morgado, who candidly admits there's massive potential for growth ahead. He's not just talking about wins; he's eyeing a transformation in how he approaches the sport. Intrigued? Let's dive into his reflections and ambitious plans for the next season.
A Season of Unexpected Challenges
2025 didn't pan out as anyone hoped, including Morgado himself. After his impressive debut in 2024, the Portuguese cyclist kicked off the year with promise, but things quickly unraveled. He faded during the spring months and struggled to regain his peak form throughout the rest of the campaign. In a frank chat with Sporza (https://sporza.be/nl/2025/12/20/-te-lieve-antonio-morgado-heeft-nieuwe-aanpak-voor-klassiekers-en-lacht-vlaamse-fans-verwarren-me-met-ploegmakker~1766225988903/), he didn't mince words: '2025 was a bad year. It was not at all what I expected.'
Sure, he notched up three victories – at the Gran Premio Castellón, the Figueira Champions Classic (https://cyclinguptodate.com/figueira-champions-classic), and Portugal's national time trial championships – but these highlights were overshadowed by a lack of Grand Tour invitations and a lot of behind-the-scenes support work. For beginners in cycling, 'domestique' is a term you'll hear often; it refers to riders who act as helpers for team leaders, carrying water, blocking wind, or pacing the group, often sacrificing their own race for the team's success. Morgado spent much of the year in this role, which limited his personal spotlight.
The downturn began early in the spring classics season. After strong starts at races like Omloop Het Volk (now known as Omloop Het Nieuwsblad) and Trofeo Laigueglia, illness struck hard. 'After Omloop and Trofeo Laigueglia, I got sick for the first time. I stayed off the bike for eight days,' he recalled. 'After that, it was very difficult to get back into shape.' But here's where it gets controversial: was this just bad luck, or does it highlight the intense physical toll of professional cycling? Imagine pushing your body to the limit week after week – some say it's a badge of honor, while others argue the sport needs better recovery protocols to protect athletes.
These health woes didn't stop there. Later, after the Portuguese time trial championships, Morgado experienced a bizarre symptom: 'I suddenly felt very bad. I couldn’t see properly with one eye.' Doctors diagnosed loose ear crystals, a condition causing vertigo where even small efforts made everything spin. This issue lingered for about six weeks, compounded by a summer bout of Covid-19. It's a reminder that behind the glamour of cycling, riders battle not just opponents but invisible enemies like illness. For context, loose ear crystals affect the inner ear's balance system, leading to dizziness – not uncommon in high-exertion sports, but Morgado's case underscores how one setback can cascade into a season's worth of struggles.
Ambitions Revived: Targeting Flanders and a Grand Tour Debut
Fast-forward to 2026, and Morgado's focus is laser-sharp. 'To become a better rider. I know I can be much better than what I showed last year,' he declared. He's not fixated on trophy counts – 'Whether I win one, two or four races doesn’t matter that much' – but on holistic improvement. And this is the part most people miss: his journey isn't just about pedaling harder; it's about evolving as a competitor.
The Belgian classics, with their cobbled roads and relentless climbs, have captured his heart. 'Last season I was very bad at positioning in the Flemish races,' he admitted. 'Whenever the favourites went, I had to chase from the back.' His strategy? A mindset overhaul. 'You have to be a little crazy to fight for your place at the front,' he explained. 'I’m too kind in all the pushing and shoving. In those moments, you can’t think about anyone else. I need to change my mindset.' This year, he placed third at La Flèche Brabançonne, a promising sign.
Why does he love these races? For Morgado, it's a blend of tactical endurance and fan energy. 'They are races where endurance is very important, and you have to keep fighting all the time. I like that. On the other hand, I love the Flemish fans. When they encourage me on the climbs, they often call me Molano,' he chuckled. 'I know we look alike, but we’re not the same.' (For fans unfamiliar, Colombian rider Daniel Felipe Martínez – nicknamed 'Martano' – shares a resemblance with Morgado, often leading to mix-ups in the stands.) It's these passionate crowds that make the Classics special, turning them into a cultural spectacle beyond just sport.
In 2026, Morgado is set to tackle key Belgian races like Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Dwars door Vlaanderen (https://cyclinguptodate.com/dwars-door-vlaanderen), and the Tour of Flanders (https://cyclinguptodate.com/tour-des-flandres). His team is giving him freedom in the smaller ones ('In the major classics, I'll have to help the leaders. But in the smaller classics, I'll have a free role.'), allowing him to chase personal glory.
Post-Classics, the big highlight: his Grand Tour debut at the Giro d'Italia (https://cyclinguptodate.com/cycling/interview-i-really-want-to-win-is-the-tour-of-flanders-antonio-morgado-on-dream-race-racing-with-pogacar-grand-tour-debut-at-giro-alongside-almeida). 'I will ride the Giro,' he confirmed. 'It’s my ambition to be in good shape there and support our leader Joao Almeida. I also want to show that I’ve become a better climber.' Climbing in cycling refers to ascending steep hills, a skill requiring strength, technique, and strategy – Morgado sees this as his proving ground.
As we wrap this up, it's worth pondering: Is Morgado's call for a 'crazier' mindset the right path, or could kindness in a cutthroat sport be a strength? And will his health lessons from 2025 translate to dominance in 2026? We'd love to hear your take – do you think he's onto something, or is there a counterpoint we're missing? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
