Oscar Onley: The Scottish Cyclist Aiming for Tour de France Glory
Imagine the thrill of achieving a historic feat, only to set your sights even higher! That's the mindset of Oscar Onley, the rising star of cycling, who, despite an impressive fourth-place finish at the Tour de France last year, is already eyeing a podium spot in the next couple of years. He equaled the best result by a Scottish rider, previously achieved by Philippa York (then known as Robert Millar) in 1984. But what does it take to compete at the highest level of cycling, and what challenges does Onley face? Let's dive in.
Onley's journey began with a move to the Netherlands-based team, Team Picnic–PostNL, in 2023. His first professional win came in January 2024 at the Tour Down Under. But it was last year's Tour de France that truly showcased his potential. Initially, he was targeting stage wins, but as the race progressed, a podium finish became a realistic goal. He finished just over a minute behind third place. The winner, Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia, was 12 minutes ahead.
"I still feel very far away," Onley admitted, acknowledging the gap between himself and the top two. But he's not discouraged. He believes a podium finish is within reach, especially in other Grand Tours, like Italy and Spain, where the competition might be less intense. He's also excited about the 2027 Tour de France, which will start in Edinburgh. "It is something I'm really looking forward to," he said, anticipating the support of the Scottish fans.
But here's where it gets controversial...
Cycling, like many sports, has faced scrutiny over performance-enhancing drugs. Onley addressed this head-on, stating that he trusts the systems in place to keep the sport clean. He believes the sport has improved in the last 10-15 years. "I also don't believe it's completely clean," he added, highlighting the ongoing challenge. Onley focuses on his own performance, trusting that his competitors are playing by the rules. The guidelines make cheating very hard nowadays.
Living in Andorra, Onley is surrounded by fellow cyclists, including Geraint Thomas, who he considers an inspiration. Despite his globetrotting lifestyle, Onley misses the simple things from Scotland, like a specific brand of fruit squash. He remembers his favorite bike ride along the Lammermuir Hills between the Borders town and Edinburgh.
And this is the part most people miss...
What do you think about Onley's chances of reaching the podium? Do you believe cycling is cleaner than it was a decade ago? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
