Introducing the Lotto 2025 Recruits
Joshua Giddings ๐ฌ๐ง - Lotto Dstny Development - 2003 - Lead Out
After mainly focusing on the track with the British Academy Joshua arrived at the Lotto Dstny Development team in 2023. Just like other riders with a track background he is the owner of some pretty fast legs, but not fast enough to actually be a main sprinter. Hence why he focused on leading out riders like Van Bylen, Grisel, De Schuyteneer and even pros like Van de Paar and Menten.
Joshua is a very big guy (1m95), which helps him in his role. He is not scared of using his body to his advantage in a hectic final. He's also the perfect shelter for a sprinter. I expect him to turn into the second last rider in a lead out train, but he's pretty versatile in that regard.
If I had to compare him to current or past pros I would choose Walscheid or Kluge. Both very big guys who can put out high power numbers on the flat. Just like them Joshua is also able to ride a good (short) TT. And both are big, heavy guys who also struggle once it goes uphill. Which is something Joshua will have to improve on if he ever wants to survive grand tours.
I'm pretty excited about this transfer honestly. Lotto can use a big lead-out rider like him, and from what I've seen he really has the potential to grow to a pretty high level in that role.