Pidcock still angry about the millimeter sprint against Van Aert: "I don't want to create controversy, but I know the answer"

"I wanted to say: nice to win it for the second time, but let's not create controversy," Pidcock began with a laugh during the flash interview, referring to the highly debated millimeter sprint against Wout van Aert in 2021. Pidcock has always believed that the photo finish camera was not properly positioned that day and that he was the actual winner, making this Sunday's victory feel extra sweet. "This victory feels incredible. It's been a challenging start to the season, with many sacrifices and time away from home. Finally piecing everything together means a lot to me. I really love this race; it holds a special place for me."

INEOS Grenadiers took control early, signaling strong support for Pidcock. "They were fully behind me, Michal Kwiatkowski also sacrificed himself for me. It's special that I can now repay them. We knew that the second half of the race would mainly consist of headwinds, making it much more tactical. The key was not to hesitate and to attack at the right moment. I think I managed that well. The sprint was 50-50, because after Paris-Roubaix I couldn't sprint all week and had shoulder pain since I couldn't hold my handlebars normally. I wasn't confident about finishing it off. This race is always tough, with a long finale. The sprint here is often decisive, and I've experienced that a few times before."

However, he made his move with 29 kilometers to go when a large group broke away on the Keutenberg. "I knew that was where the finale started. Everyone was watching each other at that moment; it's not always about the legs in situations like that," said Pidcock, who is looking forward to Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. "The pressure is off now, we can just enjoy racing. I'm going to enjoy this win; it really is a relief."

At the post-race press conference, which IDLProCycling.com also attended, Pidcock briefly commented on Mathieu van der Poel's absence in the finale. "Well, he had two big goals and he achieved both," he referred to Van der Poel's victories at the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. "Sometimes you can be a bit spent after that. It's nice that he lets others have a chance too." Pidcock wasn't particularly focused on the world champion or race favorite during the event. "I didn't deliberately ride behind Mathieu or follow him. Nor was I waiting for his attacks. I just wanted to continuously stay at the front. Honestly, I wasn't really paying attention to what Mathieu was doing, so I didn't immediately realize he was having an off day."

Ultimately, Pidcock wasn't too concerned with Van der Poel's racing tactics. It's noteworthy that the man from Leeds is performing so well, especially after a heavy fall at the start of the Tour of the Basque Country, but managed to come back and finish seventeenth in Paris-Roubaix just a week later. "Participating in Paris-Roubaix was primarily my own choice," he explained when asked. "I love that race. That was basically the reason. It's never nice when you have to drop out and change your plans. But taking part in a race you really enjoy is very good for your mental state. Especially since it's such a tough race in itself, even more so for someone of my build. After a fall like that in the Basque Country, it's important to bounce back quickly, and I think Paris-Roubaix was a good way to do that."

"After my fall in the Basque Country, I naturally wasn't completely sure about these hill classics," the cheerful winner continued, followed by a brief analysis of his season so far. "The start of this season was definitely not what I had dreamed of. I would have preferred to have won a major race already. I dreamed of more, but it's never too late to throw your hands in the air. And then it's really nice to succeed in this race."

Finally, one more time about that sprint versus Van Aert in 2021. "Did you win this race for the first time or for the second time?" he was asked at the press conference. "You can tell me," the Brit said, with both a wink and an undertone. "There has been so much controversy, but I know the answer."