The bond between Filippo Ganna (INEOS Grenadiers) and Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) is even stronger. Teammates in recent years in the Italian national track cycling team’s pursuit, with whom they have won practically everything, the two friends allowed themselves the luxury of launching each other in the final stage of Tirreno Adriatico 2025, heading to San Benedetto del Tronto. “Jonny” brought “Pippo” to the front at the intermediate sprint, earning him second place in the overall classification, and Ganna slotted into the Lidl “train” to launch Milan to stage victory. All this was agreed on the morning of the race.

And then there are gestures that transcend results, moments that become part of cycling legend. British fans will forever remember the final stage of the Giro 2023, when Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers), the day after losing the Maglia Rosa, turned into the perfect lead-out man for Mark Cavendish (Astana Qazaqstan). On the final stage of his last Giro, ‘Cav’ was chasing one last victory. ‘G’ invested himself to participate in his friend’s victory. It wasn’t about teams, strategy or even alliances. It was about friendship, as both riders said after crossing the finish line.

Cycling often builds relationships that go beyond contractual ties. On the podium of the 2024 Milan-Sanremo, we could admire three smiling faces: those of Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Michael Matthews (Jayco AlUla) and Tadej Pogačar. The latter two were the first losers… but they were happy to share the podium with each other. Neighbours in Monaco, they’re used to training together much more often than they do with those wearing the same jersey as them.

And how could we forget the best “gift” you can experience in cycling: that of two teammates and friends riding away from the rest of the field and battling it out for victory between themselves. Lorenzo Fortunato (XDS Astana) set a beautiful example with Christian Scaroni. After a tough stage tackled side by side, the Maglia Azzurra of the Giro 2025 ended up offering his countryman the day’s victory in Stage 16 of the Corsa Rosa. A moment of friendship and sportsmanship without equal.

There are true brothers, like Matteo Jorgenson (Visma | Lease a Bike) and Will Barta (Movistar Team), who have raced in the same environment since their beginnings in Idaho (USA) and now share the roads of the most prestigious stages, such as the Tour or the Giro d’Italia.

There are also teammates you consider friends and whom you try to push towards success, as Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) did with Jonas Rickaert in one of the stages of the recent “Grande Boucle”.

And there are bonds that are forged by sharing a team and lead you to create… a podcast! Just like Floortje Mackaij (Movistar Team) and Emma Norsgaard (Lidl-Trek) did in 2025. As we always say, cycling is pure friendship.