Adrià Pericas: 2025 will be a year of learning

One of the first moments the international cycling crowd got to know Catalan cyclist Adrià Pericas was during the 2023 World Championships. Fans along the course captured Mathieu van der Poel’s blistering acceleration on one of the punchy climbs. In his wheel: Adrià Pericas.

The Tona-based 18-year-old kindly asked Van der Poel beforehand whether he could sit in his wheel, not expecting that the videos shot by fans would go viral. The talented youngster kept up with the Dutch world champion-to-be that day, another proof of how promising his future looks. Pericas himself looks back at this video as “a funny anecdote.”

Pericas, Spanish national ITT champion in the junior category, is part of UAE Team Emirates Gen Z this season. His teammate Marc Zafra will join Soudal Quick-Step’s development team in 2025. Pericas had been in touch with several teams before Joxean Fernández from UAE Team Emirates convinced him to join its development team as soon as he became a U23 rider, following in the footsteps of Juan Ayuso and Marc Soler.

“The first time I spoke with him personally,” Pericas remembers, “was in the first stage of the Vuelta a España in Barcelona. It was a very interesting conversation.” UAE Team Emirates quickly became the most interesting option for Pericas, especially since he started receiving material support from the team.

In 2024, Pericas was already racing on Colnago bikes with ENVE wheels, another reason to continue his career with the strongest team in the world. “I am very happy with the equipment,” he says.

It will be an interesting season for the new U23-category rider, with a steep learning curve. The team has a clear plan for him, and Pericas wants to soak up every experience. “The plan is to run 40% of the races with the professional team to learn and help, and 60% with the Gen Z team to try to shine in races like the next-gen Giro or Giro Valle d’Aosta.”

“All this without forgetting to enjoy and have a good time,” he emphasizes. “There are many talents in both the UAE World Tour and Gen Z, but each rider knows their sporting space. I do not feel pressure from the management to immediately break through. Some riders do it at 20, others at 23.”

Born in 2006, Pericas indeed has time. Juan Ayuso followed a similar trajectory, performing at the highest ranks at 21/22. “I really want to continue progressing with this great team. I want to improve my time trial, as it is important for stage races and championships. I also think I could improve in nutrition, especially during races.”

The talent from Tona will take it pedal stroke by pedal stroke in 2025. It seems like a matter of time before Pericas lines up against riders like Van der Poel, competing harder than just following his wheel. “Hopefully, in the future, I can race against a great rider like Van der Poel in the same race.”

This story is part of Nafent Magazine volume 13. Read the full story in our digital or paper magazine. Go to our webshop to get yours.