When Tom Pidcock reflects on the experience of pursuing the top cyclist of his era, his descriptions are so vivid that one can almost sense the salt and sweat on Tadej Pogacar’s jersey.
As they reminisce about their thrilling confrontation during the Milan-San Remo classic in March, particularly when a battered Pogacar surged ahead on the final ascent, Pidcock can’t conceal his grin. “Climbing the Poggio while following his attack felt like racing against a zombie,” he recalls. “He was clad in a white skinsuit and white shorts, all torn and stained with blood. He’s a formidable competitor. It was astounding.”
What makes Pogacar’s achievement even more remarkable is that he had crashed 30 kilometers from the finish line. Despite the setback, while others fell behind, Pidcock maintained his determination. He continued to push hard, navigating through the descent and onto Via Roma, where both riders jostled aggressively for position. Unfortunately for Pidcock, he ended up narrowly losing the 297-kilometer race by a mere four centimeters. “He crashed and still managed to outpace everyone except me,” he expresses, a blend of admiration and confusion in his tone. “We reached the finish line fighting for the win, and I was obviously very frustrated with how close it was.”
“I have immense respect for him after that. He could have easily given up. Instead, he got back on his bike and won the race, which was truly incredible,” Pidcock added.
In response to critics who claim Pogacar’s supremacy renders the sport uninteresting, Pidcock suggests that fans should appreciate his skill. “You have to accept and embrace it,” he acknowledges. “But they’re not entirely wrong, are they?”
This candidness exemplifies Pidcock’s character. In an era dominated by polished soundbites and media training, the 26-year-old stands out as a bold adventurer on the road and a candid personality off it. At one point, he recalls that Liz Truss, a former Prime Minister of the UK, attended the same school as he did, Roundhay School in Leeds, and had been critical of it.
When asked about a claim from Google AI suggesting he is an avid Arsenal supporter, Pidcock responds bluntly, “An Arsenal fan? I don’t know anything about football.”
With the Tour de France approaching, it’s evident that Pidcock is in a good mental and physical state, a stark contrast to the aftermath of his fall into a ravine during the Volta a Catalunya in late March.
Despite sustaining a stress fracture in his tibia and damaging several knee ligaments, he managed to climb the final 16 kilometers to the finish line. Why persist under such circumstances?
Just a month later, he returned to competition at the Tour of the Alps, where he secured a stage victory, followed by another win at the Nove Mesto mountain bike race.
Does he thrive under pressure? He nods in agreement. “At the Tokyo Olympics, I broke my collarbone just six weeks before the event. When challenges arise, I become incredibly focused and manage to perform at my best.”
Now, all eyes are on the Tour de France, where Pidcock made history as the youngest cyclist to win on Alpe d’Huez in 2022. He fondly remembers that day, having chased down Chris Froome before breaking away with 10 kilometers remaining. “The Alpe d’Huez was just amazing,” he reflects. “Being the first to pass through all the crowds felt surreal.”
What was going through his mind during the ascent of those iconic 21 hairpin turns? “To embrace the suffering. That’s something I’m still trying to improve. You can always accelerate during a climb at your limit, but it’s important to take it one minute, one corner at a time. Having thousands of spectators cheering just inches away certainly helps,” he remarks.
He recalls another moment from his first Tour. “After the time trial on stage 20, we stopped in a small town where Luke Rowe bought a huge crate of beers, and I got some biscuits and Magnums since I don’t really drink,” he shares with a smile. “It was nice, but then we had to race around Paris the next day, which is the toughest circuit. You think you’re done, but it’s still hard and bumpy.”
Does he ever fear crashes during the Tour? “Not really; it’s part of our sport. Mistakes happen. Generally, with good anticipation, you can sense when something might go awry. It also depends on your positioning in the peloton. If you’re strong enough to stay at the front, you’re usually safer. If you’re at the back, you’re also safe. But being in the middle, in what I call the ‘death zone,’ is risky. If a crash occurs, there’s often no escape.”
