Iván Romeo has been walking a fine line, but it’s clear that he’s been putting in the work. The UAE Tour, which debuted last year, has seen him improve significantly – his average speed in the chrono has jumped from 52.6 km/h to 54.6 km/h. What’s more, he’s gone from being 3.5 kilometers from the finish in 2024 to entering the front in 2025. This impressive progress comes after a strong U23 World Cup and his first professional victory in La Volta. It’s clear that Romeo is no stranger to pushing himself to the limit.
When asked about his performance, Romeo noted that “we knew we were there, but we must materialize it.” He recalled looking at the potentiometer during the Jebel Jais climb and thinking, “this has to be broken.” However, he also acknowledged that it’s tough to believe in yourself when you’re competing against the best. Despite this, Romeo is determined to keep pushing forward, and his recent win has taken away some of the internal pressure he was feeling.
With the Jebel Hafeet climb looming, Romeo is aware that this shorter and more intense ascent could be a deciding factor in the UAE Tour. He and his teammate Castri have two high cards to play in the general classification, and they’re both eager to take risks and try to classify as high as possible. As Romeo puts it, “it’s a tougher climb, and that can benefit us. We are ambitious, and we want to make our mark.”
For Romeo, this season is shaping up to be the best of his life. After his exhibition in Alpuente, he slept “like an animal,” feeling a sense of relief and accomplishment. Winning is always an objective, and achieving it in the first round of the year has taken away some of the pressure. At just 21 years old, Romeo’s premiere in a major tour seems all but guaranteed. He’s got his sights set on the Paris-Nice, and while his three-week tour schedule is still undefined, he’s eager to take on whatever comes next.
Romeo’s maturity and composure are impressive, especially when facing the media. He defends his arguments with confidence and always seems to know where he stands. As he puts it, “the team is asking me for more and more responsibility, and that’s what I expect from them.” He’s had the freedom to fight for stages and the general classification in his first race of the year, and he’s proven that he’s capable of delivering. With his sights set on the future, Romeo is ready to take on whatever challenges come his way.
The Road Ahead
Romeo’s plans for the upcoming season are still taking shape, but one thing is clear: he’s ready to put in the work and make his mark. With the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España on the horizon, he’s got his eyes on the prize. As he says, “I’ll see it when the time comes, but the calendar will be the Tour or the Vuelta. Either one is a dream come true, but the Tour is the Tour, and the Vuelta has a time trial in Valladolid, so you can imagine… I’d love to be there.” Whatever the future holds, one thing is certain: Iván Romeo is a force to be reckoned with in the world of professional cycling.