Tom Pidcock on Racing Pogacar and His Grand Tour Hopes

The Lead

Tom Pidcock, a professional cyclist, recently shared his insights on racing against Tadej Pogacar, one of the greatest cyclists of his generation. Pidcock described Pogacar's performance at the Milan-San Remo classic as 'incredible' and 'like racing a zombie.'

Racing Against Pogacar

Pidcock recounted his epic duel with Pogacar at the Milan-San Remo classic in March. Despite Pogacar crashing 30km from the finish, he managed to get back up and still won the race, finishing just four centimeters ahead of Pidcock. Pidcock expressed his respect for Pogacar's determination and skill, stating that Pogacar's performance was 'a really incredible thing.'

Pidcock's Grand Tour Hopes

Pidcock, 26, is looking forward to the Tour de France, where he became the youngest man to win on Alpe d'Huez in 2022. He recalls the experience of chasing down Chris Froome and then breaking clear with 10km to go as 'one of those days where it all was just too good to be true.'

Overcoming Adversity

Pidcock recently suffered a tibia stress fracture, damaged several knee ligaments, and sustained heavy bruising after falling into a ravine at the Volta a Catalunya. However, he made a remarkable recovery and won a stage at the Tour of the Alps and secured his fifth victory in the Nove Mesto mountain bike race.

The Future of Cycling

Pidcock acknowledges that Pogacar's dominance in cycling may make the sport less exciting for some fans. However, he believes that fans should 'embrace and accept' Pogacar's brilliance, while also recognizing that his dominance may not be ideal for the sport.

Pidcock's Personal Life and Training

Pidcock shares insights into his personal life, including his relationship with his fiancée, Bethany, who cooks for him most of the time. He also discusses his training regimen and his interests outside of cycling, such as Formula One and mountain bike racing.