Pidcock left frustrated after Tirreno queen stage: "I’ve never been this strong on a climb"

Juan Ayuso delivered a dominant performance for UAE Emirates-XRG in Tirreno-Adriatico’s queen stage on Saturday, but just behind him, Tom Pidcock secured an impressive runner-up finish for Q36.5. It was the Brit’s second second-place finish in this edition of the Italian stage race, moving him up to sixth in the general classification. Despite that, he admitted to feeling some frustration afterward.

Where did that frustration come from? "To be honest, I could have stayed with Ayuso," the Q36.5 leader stated. "I wanted to pace myself a little more before the corner, so I let him go a bit. Ayuso was the strongest, but I really think I could have held his wheel—especially in the section just before the finale."

Still, the fact that he could even say that was a source of satisfaction. "I’ve never been this strong on a climb before. I’m a bit frustrated with the result, but pacing yourself on a climb like this is always difficult. My ceiling keeps getting higher, and I don’t know where it will stop. Right now, though, the frustration outweighs everything—especially because the team rode so well for me. I think I could have fought for the win."

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In addition to Pidcock, another rider from Q36.5 in the top ten

Barring a miracle, Tom Pidcock will not achieve his main goal for Tirreno-Adriatico. “I really wanted to win a stage, but I should also be happy with two second-place finishes. I’m also pleased with how the team performed—everybody was incredibly strong,” said Pidcock, who also praised teammate David de la Cruz for his impressive ride. “We’re both in the top ten, and we want to stay there.”

“It’s been a tough Tirreno-Adriatico, with the weather and all the difficult stages. As a team, we can be proud,” added De la Cruz. “I’m proud of the level I’ve reached here—it gives me a lot of confidence because I’m competing with the best riders in the race again. But the real highlight is how we’ve raced as a team. As a non-WorldTour squad, we’re competing for top results, and that shows how strong we are. I hope the organizers of the biggest races recognize that as well,” he hinted, referencing the battle for a Giro d’Italia wildcard.

After Tirreno-Adriatico, Pidcock will shift his focus to Milan-San Remo, where he hopes to improve on last year’s 11th-place finish, which came after a late attack. His further race program will depend on whether Q36.5 receives an invitation to the Giro d’Italia. If the team is not invited, Pidcock will add several Flemish Classics to his calendar. His schedule already includes the Brabantse Pijl, Amstel Gold Race, Flèche Wallonne, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, in addition to Milan-San Remo.

The team has started the season in spectacular fashion, already securing seven victories. Alongside Pidcock’s strong performances, Matteo Moschetti and Fabio Christen have also contributed wins. Pidcock himself has stood on the podium at both Strade Bianche and the Ruta del Sol, proving his form heading into the Classics.

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