Petr Vakoč

2013 was Prague-born Vakoč's first year as a professional, riding for Etixx–IHNed, the development team of Omega Pharma–Quick-Step. In June, he won the Okolo Slovenska stage race at the age of 20. The young cyclist's success continued when he won overall in the Vuelta a la Comunidad de Madrid sub-23, the under 23 version of the Vuelta a la Comunidad de Madrid. In August Vakoc won the 1.2 event Grand Prix Královéhradeckého kraje, five seconds ahead of Josef Hosek.

After Vakoč's success in 2013, he was granted a contract for Omega Pharma–Quick-Step. He finished 10th overall and won a stage of the Tour de Pologne, a UCI World Tour event. He also placed second in both his nation's road race and time trial championship.

In 2015, Vakoc won the National Road Race Championships 11 seconds ahead of Leopold König. In May, he rode in his first Grand Tour, the Giro d'Italia. Vakoč finished the race in 116th place overall. The young cyclist earned yet another victory when he won the Czech Cycling Tour, one of his nation's biggest cycling races. He also won a stage of the Tour of Britain. He competed for his nation at the European Games, earning a bronze medal in the road race.

Vakoč celebrated success in one day races during his fourth professional season, winning three major races; he won the Classic Sud-Ardèche and La Drôme Classic over successive days in February. In April, he booked his biggest victory yet at the Brabantse Pijl, a 1.HC race in Belgium. He was named in the start list for the 2016 Tour de France.[6]