Ho Yen-Yi: From Taiwan to Spain, a Taiwanese Shining Star in European Pro Cycling

A Taiwanese Rider Striving in Europe

Among the 177 riders in the 2026 Tour de Taiwan, one Taiwanese rider’s team stands out in particular—Equipo Kern Pharma, a Spanish ProTeam.

That rider is Ho Yen-Yi, 24 years old, currently the only Taiwanese road cyclist riding for a top-tier professional team in Europe.

Ho Yen-Yi Profile

Daily Life in Spain

Surviving in the European professional cycling scene is not just about racing. Language, culture, food, training methods—everything is a new challenge.

In Spain, Ho Yen-Yi has to face:

• Communicating with Spanish, Italian, and French teammates
• Adapting to the dense European race calendar
• The loneliness of being far from home
• The much higher intensity of competition in European road racing

But these challenges are exactly what is helping him grow rapidly.

Tour de Taiwan Performance

The Jiaobanshan climb on Stage 2 was his best chance to showcase his strength, but cardiovascular discomfort struck in the final 3 kilometers, dropping him from a potential top-ten finish to 30th place, 51 seconds back.

Those 51 seconds changed everything—had it not been for that setback, he might already be wearing the blue jersey.

53 Seconds from the Blue Jersey

Even so, Ho Yen-Yi was once ranked 9th in the general classification, just 53 seconds behind the blue jersey. That number speaks to his ability—among all Asian riders, he is fully capable of going head-to-head with Japan’s top cyclists.

What a Taiwanese Rider in Europe Means

Ho Yen-Yi’s presence carries profound significance for Taiwanese cycling:

1. Proving Taiwanese riders can do it: Establishing a foothold in the European professional cycling scene is not just a dream
2. A pathway to follow: Providing a replicable development route for younger riders coming up behind him
3. Raising visibility: Letting the European cycling world know that Taiwan also produces great riders
4. Giving back through experience: The training methods and racing experience he gains in Europe can be fed back into the development of cycling in Taiwan

Kern Pharma Brings Him “Home”

Interestingly, Kern Pharma chose to send Ho Yen-Yi to the Tour de Taiwan, which means the team believes he is competitive in Asian races. For Ho Yen-Yi, this is a special “homecoming race”—showcasing his strength on Taiwanese soil with the results of his European training.

What’s Next

At 24, Ho Yen-Yi still has a long career ahead of him. If he continues to improve, it is not out of the question to see him on even bigger stages in Europe in the future (such as stages of the Tour de France or the Giro d’Italia).

After all, he has already proven the hardest first step: a Taiwanese rider can earn a place on a professional cycling team in Europe.

Related Reading

• The International Road Racing Journey of Taiwanese Riders: The Reality and Dreams of Asian Cyclists on European Soil
• Taiwan’s Nine Warriors: The Battle of the Chinese Taipei Team and Overseas Riders at the Tour de Taiwan
• The Complete Spectator’s Guide to the Tour de Taiwan: How to Appreciate Professional Cycling Races
• 2026 Tour de Taiwan In-Depth Analysis: Technical Demands and Team Strategies for Each Stage